Austrade media release 19 January 2010
Up to 20,000 Abu Dhabi construction workers will have Australian solar technology to thank for their hot showers with one of the world's largest commercial installations officially launched today.
International Manager for Solahart Industries, Mark Perger, said the multimillion dollar facility launched at the World Future Energy Summit, required the installation of large, centralised Australian-made water storage systems, providing millions of litres of hot water to thousands of site workers every day.
“From an environmental perspective, we estimate the installation will save more than 12,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere each year. This is the equivalent of taking about 4,000 cars off the road,” said Mr Perger.
Austrade’s Trade Commissioner for Abu Dhabi, Elizabeth Gordon, said the innovative product was a great example of Australian expertise in the renewable energy and clean technology space.
“Australia is a sunny place with over 90 per cent of the continent absorbing solar radiation of over 1950 kilowatt hours per square metre per year- consequently our solar industry is quite sophisticated in its expertise,” said Ms Gordon.
“This positions us well to sell our expertise to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Solar energy is a natural play in the Middle East/North Africa region, which experiences intense solar radiation for approximately 350 days per year.”
According to Frost and Sullivan, an estimated investment of more than $3 billion has been planned by the UAE to generate approximately 1GW power from solar PV in the next four years.
“The UAE has become the largest investor in renewables in the Gulf, and in mid-2009, it won the right to host the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA),” said Ms Gordon.
“In addition, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi has set a target of seven per cent of total energy production to be derived from renewables by 2020. The UAE is exploring global investment opportunities across many of the renewable energy segments, and there is a particular interest in solar and wind energy.”
Mr Perger said Austrade’s support was invaluable in the coordination and implementation of the Solahart deal.
“If you have the right product, Austrade’s knowledge of the market can help guide you to the people you need to be speaking with,” Mr Perger said.
Ms Gordon encouraged Australian businesses interested in opportunities in the UAE Clean technology space to register with Austrade which is running a series of activities in 2010 to help companies do business in the UAE.
ENDS Media contact Samantha Mattila, Senior Media Adviser, Ph: +61 2 9390-2388, Mobile: +61 434 567 673
For further news and information from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) visit www.austrade.gov.au//mediacentre.
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