Singapore role in Emirates eco-city?

Talks under way for firms to be involved in futuristic Masdar City
Jessica Cheam, Straits Times 20 jan 09;

ABU DHABI: Singapore's expertise in water technology and energy could give local firms a head start for contracts to help build an ambitious eco-city in the United Arab Emirates.

Talks are already under way for Singapore firms to participate in the futuristic project - known as the Masdar Initiative - estimated to cost an astonishing US$22 billion (S$33 billion).

Some of the expertise that local firms, including those in the Keppel Group, have accumulated from their involvement in a similar project - the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city - should also stand them in good stead for the UAE development.

Mr Khaled Awad, director of property development for Masdar, an Abu Dhabi energy company, told The Straits Times yesterday that the firm held talks with national water agency PUB and Singapore Power recently.

'Singapore has a lot of knowledge in water and waste management. It is at the forefront of technology where this is concerned, so we were exploring areas of collaboration,' said Mr Awad, who was speaking to the media on the opening day of the annual World Future Energy Summit in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi.

He indicated that the Masdar City team will meet executives involved in the Tianjin project next month to explore further areas of cooperation.

The Tianjin project broke ground last year and is said to involve at least $5.8 billion worth of investment.

Both projects have the aim of developing and commercialising renewable energy technologies and solutions to the point where they become standard in urban planning.

The 6.5sqkm Masdar City, first announced in 2006, will boast a zero waste and zero carbon footprint.

Under construction 17km from Abu Dhabi, it was planned by renowned British architecture firm Foster + Partners and broke ground last February. It will be finished in phases by 2016.

The ambition is clear: It aims to be the pinnacle of eco-friendly city design. Recycled steel is being used. It will be powered 100 per cent by renewable energies and house 1,500 businesses and 50,000 residents, with water supplied via a solar-powered desalination plant. Landscaping will be irrigated using recycled water.

Masdar's CEO Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said yesterday that Abu Dhabi was committed to a 7 per cent renewable energy target by 2020, most of which will be solar power. This will help create a market worth up to US$8 billion over the next 10 years.

Masdar City is intended to be a world leader among eco-cities, showcasing technologies that can be exported. It also hopes to set itself apart by creating tax and economic incentives to attract businesses to set up shop and test clean technologies in what it calls the 'eco-cluster' of green firms.

This is similar to a plan for a business park called 'Clean Tech Park' announced recently in Singapore.

Mr Awad said although Singapore and Abu Dhabi both harbour the ambition of being clean technology hubs, he does not view them as being in competition. 'The common objectives will enable us to create more synergy between the two countries,' he said.

The three-day summit hosts 15,000 delegates, 300 exhibitors and 20 government delegations.