Ras Al Khaimah-based utility, Utico, has invested AED 1.2 billion (U$ 326.7 million) in projects across the United Arab Emirates to meet their growing demand for power and water.
The projects include a desalination facility to be set up in Ras Al Khaimah and a water transmission and storage project between Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah athe firm said.
Work has commenced on the AED 410 million (US$ 111.6 million) Ras Al Khaimah-Sharjah water transmission project, which can carry 200 Ml of water either way. Once operational, the project will have a final storage capacity of 400 Ml. The project will be implemented in two phases and will be completed in 18 to 32 months, with the pipeline operational in June 2017 said Utico.
Utico said it will work closely with the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) and the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA). Once deployed, the project will supply more than 1.5 million residents in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.
”The remarkable growth of population in Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman and Sharjah puts an increasing demand for water, both for consumption as well as industrial purposes,” said managing director at Utico, Richard Menezes.
Solar power is being used for transmission and storage recirculation to contribute to its 10MW demand. Utico is also investing AED 719 million (US$ 196 million) in a water desalination project in Ras Al Khaimah as part of joint venture, Al Hamra Water Company, with Spain’s Grupo Cobra. The plant, will have a capacity of 100 Ml/d is scheduled to be operational in 2018. And Menezes said Utico is on course to set up a 40MW solar power plant, for which several bidders are vying for the I contract.
The company intends also to build more than 500 Ml/d of desalination capacity in the next six years with 250 Ml/d operational in three years.