Today’s nuclear energy is clean, safe and produces little waste. So why is our energy policy implacably opposed to this fuel of the future, ask Colin McInnes and Ken Ledingham ; A solution to the power struggle – The Herald (Glasgow, Uk))

The United Arab Emirates and Scotland have much in common. Both are
small nations whose economies have been geared to the production and export of
oil and both are rich in future renewable energy potential. The empty deserts
of the UAE have the capacity to produce vast quantities of clean solar

Landau denies links to Hamas terrorist’s death – The Jerusalem Post

National Infrastructures Minister Uzi Landau on Sunday dismissed
allegations that a member of his delegation to the United Arab Emirates in late
January assassinated a Hamas military commander in Dubai as “wild.” Landau led a delegation to Abu Dhabi to attend an International Renewable
Energy

GE Energy and DUBAL Sign Long-Term Service Agreement to Help Reduce Cost of Aluminum Production

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates–(BUSINESS WIRE)–GE Energy has signed a multi-year service contract for more than US$45 million with Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (DUBAL), one of the world’s largest producers of premium quality aluminum. The agreement is designed to reduce the cost of aluminum production while maximizing the reliability and overall performance of 19 GE gas turbines that power the DUBAL production complex.

“Performance and reliability of our power supply are very important for the production of aluminum,” said Abdulla Kalban, president and CEO of DUBAL. “This service agreement with GE will help us reduce our cost of generating electricity, which will lead to a lower cost of aluminum production, positioning us more competitively in the global market.”

The GE gas turbines operating at the DUBAL power plant include six Frame 9E units, five Frame 9Bs and eight Frame 5s. As part of the service agreement, the NO_x emissions of the Frame 5 units will be reduced by 15 percent.

“Our service agreement will provide DUBAL with GE’s technical experience and support to meet their specific power generation requirements,” said Joseph Anis, president of GE Energy for the Middle East. “The reliable supply of power and long-term performance of the gas turbines is key to the overall success of this milestone project. With a dependable and efficient supply of power, DUBAL can focus on its core mission—the production of aluminum.”

The agreement covers the supply of parts, performance uprates, repairs and field services for planned outages for the gas turbines, over a period of seven years. It further reiterates the leading role that GE Energy plays in the industrial sector of the U.A.E. and the strong partnerships the company has forged with leading players across various economic sectors.

In addition to addressing DUBAL’s performance and reliability requirements, the GE service agreement will help reduce DUBAL’s critical spare parts inventory, a key milestone in the company’s cost-cutting initiative, and further complement the company’s status as one of the world’s most environmentally friendly and lowest production cost smelters.

All of the repairs covered under the service agreement will be performed at the Gulf Turbine Services (GTS) facility in Abu Dhabi. The GTS facility, a joint venture between GE and Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies, was established in 2001 to meet local as well as regional customer needs in the power generation and oil and gas industries.

Located about 35 kilometers from the city of Dubai, the DUBAL aluminum-producing complex was established in 1979 and has been expanded several times. Today, it has the capacity to produce more than 960,000 tons of quality, hot metal aluminum annually, for customers in more than 48 countries.

GE has been present in the Middle East since the 1930s and today has regional management and project management offices throughout the region as well as local repair and service facilities to serve its customers there. GE Energy has been a successful partner in the development of the Middle East’s energy infrastructure with more than 1,000 turbines installed throughout the region, providing more than 70 gigawatts of power. GE Energy offers tailored energy solution platforms that also help boost cost efficiency for customers around the globe.

Abu Dhabi and China Lead International Economic Recovery

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The recent visit of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council to China came with the goal to strengthen economic, political and military ties between the two countries.

The visit also aimed at realizing the goals of creating new trade frontiers and diversification of the Emirate’s economic resources, which are stipulated by “Plan Abu Dhabi 2030.”

In his talks with President Hu Jintao, the President of the People’s Republic of China, HH Sheikh Mohammed valued the strong ties between the two countries, which are based on mutual respect and interests, calling for their enhancement so as to be on par with the aspirations of both leaderships and peoples.

President Hu Jintao said that this visit would improve the cooperation between the two countries in different fields.

The visit program included the ratification of a number of contracts in the economic, oil, petrochemical industries, military, renewable energy, tourism and cultural fields.

According to The UAE Ministry of Economy, the country is considered to be the second trade partner with China in the Gulf region and the first market for Chinese products among the Arab countries. Trade between the two countries, which could be traced back to the Silk Road era, accounted to US$28 billion in 2008, with 40.5 percent increase compared to 2007. The UAE has around 3000 registered Chinese companies, with both the Ministry of Economy and the free zones. The two countries have joint projects that amount to US$12 billion and more than 200 thousand Chinese expatriates are currently living in the UAE.

The Chinese Deputy Trade Minister said in an early statement that the UAE’s investments in China reached US$220 million, the majority of which are concentrated in the banking and financial sector, making it the biggest investor in China among the Arab countries.

The visit also reinforced the existing trade and economic ties, such as the Cooperation Agreement, ratified with the China Council for The Promotion of International Trade in 2002, with the intention to boost ties between private businesses in both countries.

The UAE also voiced its interest in establishing oil storage facilities in China, the importance of this project stems from the fact that oil consumption in China has doubled during the last decade, accounting for around 10 percent of world consumption, in addition to its geographical location, next to two of the world’s biggest oil consumers, namely India and Japan.

The two parties signed a memorandum designed to establish a strategic relationship between them in the areas of art, culture and exhibitions – an indication of Abu Dhabi’s determination to diversify its income resources and promote its tourism sector.

UAE and China played a prominent role in the international economy during the era preceding the current credit crisis and now they are leading the international economic recovery, so it is natural for both countries to come together to boost their future economic ties and common interests.

UAE to host headquarters of global renewable energy agency – The Hindustan Times

Abu Dhabi, July. 8 — The United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital would
host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency
(IRENA), WAM news agency reported Wednesday. Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, secretary general of the Abu Dhabi
executive council, welcomed IRENA Director General Helene

Green energy agency to locate headquarters in UAE

CAIRO (Reuters) – Member states of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) voted to locate their headquarters in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt’s state news agency MENA said on Monday.

UAE seeks India’s help in renewable energy sector – The Hindustan Times

New Delhi, June. 12 — The United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign
Affairs Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan met the Minister for New
and Renewable Energy, Farooq Abdullah on Friday, for collaboration
in the renewable energy sector. “Since ages, India has had good relations with UAE. The UAE

UAE Foreign Affairs Minister to meet Farooq Abdullah – The Hindustan Times

New Delhi, June. 12 — United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign
Affairs Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan will meet Minister for
New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah and discuss ways in which
bilateral cooperation in this sector can be enhanced between the
two countries. The UAE Minister

UAE Foreign Affairs Minister arrives in India – The Hindustan Times

New Delhi, June. 11 — United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign
Affairs Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan arrived here on Thursday
evening on a two-day visit. On Friday, Sheikh Abdullah is scheduled to call on the Minister of
New and Renewable Energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah and discuss ways in
which