ABU DHABI // The Federal Government is to assess and improve the provision of electricity to areas dogged by power shortages, officials said yesterday.
The Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA) will investigate the level of available electricity supplies to try to overcome blackouts and power shortages that are threatening the economic growth of the northern emirates.
"It aims at improving the electricity grid and avoiding blackouts," FEWA said in a statement.
Ajman, Umm al Qaiwain and Fujairah all suffer from a lack of power, but the problem appears most acute in Ras al Khaimah.
Entire streets in RAK city have new buildings without power, The National reported earlier this year. Officials at Al Safir Mall said yesterday they had to move their staff to other emirates because the mall had no electricity. The mall was completed 18 months ago and staff were brought in recently in the hope that electricity would be supplied.
FEWA has allocated Dh9 million (US$2.4m) for the assessment study, which is expected be completed by the first quarter of next year.
"This is one of the most important scientific studies that is aimed at understanding the current capacity of the grid," said Mohammed Saleh, the acting director of FEWA.
It would focus on assessing the conditions of the power networks in RAK and Ajman, he said.
The study would lay down a set of measures to help officials estimate growth in power demand.
Some of the northern emirates are taking steps to prevent the situation from worsening. Moves include Ajman's planned $2 billion coal-powered plant station, the first of its type in the Gulf. The plant is expected to be operational by 2012.
Global Insight, an international economic and financial analysis provider, estimates power consumption in the Gulf will rise 50 per cent in the next five years. However, power generation is projected to increase by only 30 per cent.
Officials from Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) say the two emirates are able to meet future energy demand by building new power plants.
"Adnoc is committed to supply our demands regardless," said Abdullah al Nuaimi, the director of privatisation of ADWEA.
In its nuclear programme's white paper, the Government said oil and coal were viable sources to cover the nation's power needs.
mhabboush@thenational.ae
* Additional reporting by Yasin Kakande
Top financial tips for graduates
Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:
1. Build digital or technical skills: After graduation, people can find it extremely hard to find jobs. From programming to digital marketing, your early twenties are for building skills. Future employers will want people with tech skills.
2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.
3. Networking: Knowing how to make connections is extremely useful. Use LinkedIn to find people who have the job you want, connect and ask to meet for coffee. Ask how they did it and if they know anyone who can help you. I secured quite a few clients this way.
4. Pay yourself first: The minute you receive any income, put about 15 per cent aside into a savings account you won’t touch, to go towards your emergency fund or to start investing. I do 20 per cent. It helped me start saving immediately.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
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Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association