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Initial findings on geothermal sites in the UAE promising for development

Initial findings on geothermal sites in the UAE promising for development Green Mubazzarah, Al Ain, UAE (source: flickr/ Peter Dowley, creative commons)
Alexander Richter 28 Aug 2017

Findings from initial research at two potential geothermal sites in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are promising and could provide sufficient basis for interest of developers of geothermal power projects.

As reported locally last week, a new study is looking into the potential use of geothermal energy as a source of clean and renewable energy for the United Arab Emirates.

Undertaken by researchers of UAE University (UAEU), the project has studied potential geothermal resources at Al Ain and Ras Al Khaimah, hot water spring reservoirs and analysing temperature and size.

According to Dr Hakim Saibi, associate professor of geophysics at UAEU, and one of the researchers involved with the project, the project was started earlier this year.

The group has carried out magnetic surveys to understand the geological structure of the sites, and collected and sampled water for further laboratory analysis.

Initial findings describe water resources at a depth of 3,000 meters with a temperature of around 120 degrees Celsius.

According to Dr Saibi, the findings did point to the possibility of tapping geothermal energy in the UAE. “The potential for using geothermal energy is good. Based on our findings and the data gathered at the sites, we can produce around 1,000 megawatts of electricity using the geothermal energies from these areas,” he said.

These results are expected to be published in scientific papers soon and hopefully will help raise sufficient interest for developers looking to develop geothermal power plants on these sites and these initial findings are promosing.

Source: Zawya