ENOC, Dubai Municipality Sign MoU to Produce CNG

Emirates Gas LLC (EMGAS), a subsidiary of Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai Municipality to treat land and sewage waste to generate Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

EMGAS is now setting up an advanced facility to convert waste to bio-methane, from what is currently being flared, and then compress it into compressed natural gas that will be used as an automotive green fuel.

The biogas, and subsequently CNG, will be generated at the upcoming EMGAS facility at Dubai Municipality’s sewage and landfill sites in Al Aweer and Al Qusais, as per international CNG standards using the latest technologies from America and Europe.

EMGAS will complete the facility in 12 months, having already undertaken preliminary measures. The CNG will be marketed for use as automotive fuel, which will help bring down carbon emissions and promote sustainable development. When the project is fully completed, it can provide CNG to approximately 15,000 passenger cars and light commercial vehicles per day.

HE Eng Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General, Dubai Municipality said: “The new initiative is in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to promote path-breaking initiatives that add significant value to the community and environment. Dubai Municipality is keen to produce sustainable energy in order to preserve the environment and reduce carbon footprint in Dubai and the UAE in general, which will benefit citizens.”

He further added: “The new partnership with ENOC is a part of Dubai Municipality’s plan to implement cost-effective and environment-friendly transportation fuel. From introducing CNG in our public transport to now the physical production of biogas, we are demonstrating our focus on reducing greenhouse gas emission reductions and conserving our environment for our future generations. Currently, some 25,000 cubic metres of gas is being flared every day at the Al Aweer Sewage Treatment Plant, while the Al Qusais Land Fill Site is designed to deliver over 144,000 cubic metres of gas per day to its flare stack. This will be captured, treated and converted for use as CNG.”

Saeed Khoory, Chief Executive Officer of ENOC, said: “Our partnership with Dubai Municipality to generate compressed natural gas from land sewage waste is another testament to our commitment to support Dubai’s ‘green vision.’ Promoting environment-friendly development initiatives is a strategic focus of the ‘A green economy for sustainable development’ strategy announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. With the new initiative, we are not only contributing to conserving the environment but also enhancing overall social well-being.”

Hesham Al Mustafa, Senior Director – ENOC Gas Marketing and General Manager – Emirates Gas LLC added: “Through this landmark initiative to convert land and sewage waste to biogas and eventually compressed natural gas, EMGAS is further supporting the focus of Dubai to promote environment-friendly energy sources. It will also address the urban challenge of disposing waste in the most environment-friendly manner.”

A thought leader in promoting CNG in the UAE, EMGAS launched CNG in Dubai for the first time and embarked on a pilot project with RTA in 2006. Diesel-operated wooden abras were converted to operate on CNG highlighting its effectiveness as an environment-friendly fuel ideal for all types of transportation modes. The project helped in saving fuel costs by 30 percent and expanded the lifetime of engines.

Similarly, EMGAS introduced CNG to fleet users such as Dubai Municipality, DP World, Emirates Group, Transguard and DEWA, among others. To initiate green solutions in gas-based applications, EMGAS also developed its first CNG mobile filling station in 2007.

CNG is fast becoming an alternative to the traditional petrol and diesel fuels and many countries around the world are promoting its use in vehicles. In addition to CNG, EMGAS has always been in the forefront to experimenting and using alternative technologies for promoting a green Dubai and a healthy living.

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LNG World News Staff, February 12, 2013; Image: EMGAS