(Abu Dhabi) – The energy sector in the UAE is well positioned to join the league of the most innovative nations, thanks to “2015 the Year of Innovation” initiative, launched by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Minister of Energy, Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, has said.
Al Mazrouei made the remarks while talking to over 60 international media personalities, who are visiting the UAE as guests of the National Media Council (NMC) to attend the country’s 44th national day anniversary celebrations.
Al Mazrouei said that one of UAE energy sector’s most notable achievements in 2015 was the increase in refining capacity, following expansion of the Ruwais refinery’s output from 470,000 bpd to 1 million bpd.
Other milestones, according to Al Mazrouei, included the launch of a solar powered desalination plant and the commissioning of the second phase of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, doubling its generation capacity to 200 megawatt, and opening of the Borouge Innovation centre – a new hi-tech facility that serves as the focal point of innovation and research in the field of polymer development and application technology – at a total cost of Dh550 million.
He also referred to the recent step of deregulating diesel and gasoline prices, with the aim of creating a shift in the mind-set that this commodity is like any other with prices that go up and down. He also said the step will lead customers to use wisely the finite resources that the country has.
