Utilities in the UAE
The booming UAE economy requires an ever-growing supply of energy and water. This is fuelling infrastructure development at an unprecedented scale. In many areas public-private partnerships are gradually taking over the role traditionally held by the government in infrastructure development and management.
Electrical Power
The demand for electricity in the UAE has been growing at double-digit rates for many years and according to all estimates it will continue to do so until at least 2010. To meet this demand, the UAE will have to increase its electricity generation capacity by as much as 60 per cent over the next three to five years. By mid-2006 the total capacity for electricity production in the UAE was 16,220 megawatts (MW) compared to 9600 MW in 2001 and industry estimates expect the capacity to rise to almost 26,000 MW by 2010.
Electricity and water in Ras Al Khaimah are provided by the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA). The authority was established in 1999 to generate and distribute electricity and water in the Northern Emirates. FEWA owns and operates six power generating plants and three water desalination plants, producing around 1,200 megawatts of power and 8,500 million gallons of water per day.
The electricity supply in the UAE is 220/240 volts and 50 cycles. The socket type is identical to the three point British system. Adaptors can be purchased at any grocery or hardware shop. The price of electricity differs between emirates - depending on the amount used the price can be between 20-33 Fils (0.2-0.33 AED) per kilowatt hour.
Water
Tap water is safe to drink, though locally bottled mineral water is preferred. The price of the tap water is 3 Fils (0.03 AED) per gallon, but in Dubai that can increase up to 4 Fils (0.04 AED) per gallon if more than 12,000 gallons is used in a month.
Gas
Gas mains do not exist in most areas of the UAE, so households need to purchase individual canisters and connect them to a gas oven via an outside tap. Currently a large 44-kilogram cylinder is sold for between AED 150-165, a 22-kilogram cylinder for between AED 75-90 and an 11-kilogram cylinder for between AED 35-50.
Petrol
Petrol is supplied through leading companies such as ADNOC and Emirates Petrol Stations. The price is 6.25 - 6.75 AED per gallon and diesel is 8.5 AED per gallon.
Related Links
www.moenr.gov.ae
