The UAE's efforts to rein in carbon emissions will receive a fillip with the construction of the country's first carbon capture and storage network.

Mr Sam Nader director of Carbon Management Unit of Masdar said that "The project in Abu Dhabi that aims to trap 5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually from 4 facilities will start between 2012 and 2014. The project targeting steel industry will start functioning in 2012.”

He added that the power stations, which contribute 70% of emissions, will be part of the network from 2014.

Mr Nader said that the carbon capture is one of the most promising ways of reducing emissions by trapping carbon dioxide gases from the source and storing them underground. The project is significant for the power sector since electricity demand in Abu Dhabi is expected to jump from the current 6,000 MW to 23,000 MW in 2020.

He said that the first construction contract will be awarded in the H2 of 2010. The Abu Dhabi network will be part of a national network which will begin from Taweelah in eastern Abu Dhabi and spread to the western parts of the emirate.

He added that carbon dioxide will be captured from power stations in four places: Emirates Steel Industries, Emirates Aluminium, a hydrogen production project and conventional power stations. It will then be transported to 2 oilfields and used to raise pressure inside the reservoirs for enhanced oil recovery.

(Sourced from gulfnews.com)