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25 October 2004 - Abu Dhabi has inaugurated an 850 kW windpower plant - the first such facility on the Arabian Peninsula.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Director General of the President's Office opened the plant in Sir Bani Yas Island. A number of top government officials and Jurgen Steltzer, Germany's ambassador to the UAE were present at the ceremony.
A consortium of German firms carried out the design and construction of the plant in less than 12 months. Electricity generated by plant will be fed into the local grid of the island.
The wind turbine will be controlled remotely from the main station in Abu Dhabi and technicians and engineers will be dispatched to the site whenever the need arises.
The station production capacity of the plant which weighs 77 tons might be increased in the future, said Sheikh Mansour, adding that it can also be used at a later stage for water desalination purposes. He further pointed out that the feasibility of wind power as compared to other alternatives such as the use of diesel; electricity and solar energy will continue to be examined.
"The UAE is open to scientific innovations and will always be ready to adopt these innovations as long as they serve the local society," he said, adding that the UAE is the first country in the Arabian peninsula to implement such a pioneering project. Sheikh Mansour praised the cooperation shown by German firms which implemented the project.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was also attended by Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Economic Department and Sheikh Dhiyab bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Director of the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Electricity and Water Authority.
On the location of the wind power plant , Sheikh Mansour said Sir Bani Yas was chosen as the ideal site for its special status in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Additionally, a study on climatic conditions revealed that it was the most suitable location for the plant.
For his part, Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed said that the project was implemented with the support of President H.H Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He added that the project came to fruition with the unstinting support of Sheikh Mansour who has keen interest in power wind research and technology. He hailed the project as a good beginning and might be implemented in other outlying areas in the future.
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