Source: www.ameinfo.com
Emirates Gas LLC (EMGAS), a wholly owned subsidiary of ENOC, the Dubai government-owned diversified energy group, hosted the first International CNG and NGV Conference at the Movenpick Hotel in Dubai. The objective of the conference was to promote the development of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Industry in the UAE and strengthen the use of alternative sources of energy in the UAE including clean fuels.
The conference was inaugurated by Her Excellency Dr. Mariam Hassan Al Shenasi, Undersecretary at the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water, and provided a platform for industry experts from EMGAS, ENOC, ADNOC, Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA), Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, RTA, foreign delegates and suppliers to share their knowledge and experiences.
Saeed Abdullah Khoory, ENOC’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Identifying alternative sources of energy and promoting the use of green fuels is the cornerstone of sustainable development, a thrust area for the UAE. Compressed Natural Gas is the cleanest burning fuel operating today and is a viable alternative in ensuring economically and environmentally sustainable energy use in the region.”
CNG has several advantages including lower operating and maintenance costs and added safety. In addition, many vehicles are specifically designed to run on natural gas and often have greater power and efficiency.
Hesham Ali Mustafa, Senior Director – Gas Marketing at EMGAS, presented on overview of CNG as a green fuel for transportation and highlighted the measures taken by EMGAS to advance the CNG as an alternative source of energy. He said: “ENOC has always been at the forefront of experimenting and using alternative technologies for promoting a green and sustainable Dubai. The UAE has already embarked upon an aggressive CNG/NGV programme and we are working towards operating our own CNG stations across the UAE in the future,” he added.
CNG transportation fuel is fast becoming an alternative to traditional petrol and diesel fuels with many countries around the world promoting its use. It is estimated that 450 vehicles in the UAE operate on CNG with 20 CNG filling stations already operational in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Sharjah. Also more than 11 million vehicles worldwide operate on natural gas with the Asian Pacific region having the maximum number of CNG stations and vehicles – 6.6 million CNG vehicles and 8,500 CNG stations.
EMGAS first introduced CNG as a successful alternative fuel for the marine applications in Dubai more than two years ago and also worked with the RTA to introduce CNG on Abras that operate between Bur Dubai and Deira on the Dubai Creek. EMGAS also signed an agreement with Dubai Municipality to introduce CNG in all public transport.
