ADFD-funded Masdar project

Seychelles President James Alix Michel and senior representatives from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) and from Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted renewable energy company Masdar laid the foundation stone of the 6MW wind farm at Seychelles on Thursday. The wind farm project is the first major renewable energy project in the Seychelles and will constitute 11 per cent installed capacity of electricity on the main island, which will cut down on fossil fuel import and reduce greenhouse gas emission. Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Acting Director General of ADFD, said: “This project comes in alignment with ADFD’s commitment to support sustainable economic development projects in developing countries. Although Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has been active in the Seychelles for over three decades, this project is a very special one as it will help in achieving the millennium goals of ensuring environmental sustainability by utilising the renewable wind energy to meet the vital demand for electricity”. Masdar will be the project manager of the wind farm on behalf of the Government of the Seychelles and ADFD. Masdar has awarded Unison Co., a South Korean wind-power generation equipment maker, the contract to build the wind farm. Upon completion, PUC will take up ownership and operate and maintain the farm. One of the most significant projects in the Western Indian Ocean region, the wind farm will have eight turbines in all; five will be located on Romainville Island and three on Ile du Port. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said: “We are delighted to launch this project which strengthens the long-standing relationship between the UAE and Seychelles and exemplifies the importance of collaboration and partnership by leveraging resources and technical expertise to deliver vital renewable energy project in areas of need. “The UAE leadership is committed to building bridges with developed and developing nations alike - and it is this far reaching vision that enables us to continue to progress in supporting the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies worldwide.” Along with the president, the ceremony at Ile du Port in the island of Port Victoria, Seychelles, was attended by Bader Al Lamki, Director of Masdar Carbon, one of the integrated units of Masdar, and Rashed Al Kaabi, Projects Manager, Operations Department, ADFD. Seychelles Minister for Home Affairs, Environment, Transport and Energy, Joel Morgan, along with other senior government officials and representatives from Public Utilities Corporation (PUC) also attended the ceremony. Campaign for Expo The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) on Thursday visited Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multifaceted renewable energy company, during their first evaluation tour of the UAE, part of the country’s official campaign to host the 2020 World Expo in Dubai. In November 2011, the UAE presented its bid to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in Paris to host the World Expo in Dubai, between Jan.4 and June 30, 2020. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO, Masdar, conveyed his support to the efforts of the United Arab Emirates in hosting World Expo 2020; highlighting the Expo’s focus on sustainable development. The delegation, who were present during the launch of the promotional campaign, included Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State, Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales, BIE Secretary General, Dimitri Kerkentzes, Chief of staff, and Laurence Toledo, Coordinator for World Expos. The purpose of their visit to the UAE is to make a first evaluation of the competitive advantage the country can offer to qualify for hosting the World Expo - held once every five years.