The Canal stretches from the Business Bay district and crosses the Sheikh Zayed Road (between Safa and 1st Interchanges) and passes across the Safa Park, Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 2, and Jumeirah Road to terminate at the Arabian Gulf. The construction of the infrastructure (construction of bridges and drilling of the canal course) amounts to about two billion dirham, and all construction works are set to be completed by 2017.

Sheikh Mohammed was briefed on the details of this unique urban tourist-cum- commercial project; which offers a new lifestyle in the heart of Dubai city. The ¨Dubai Water Canal¨ will add about six kilometres to the Dubai water front and the project provides an area spanning more than 80 thousand square meters designated as public realms containing vital facilities as well as convenient and excellent means to meet the needs of all community segments.

The Project encompasses new shopping and entertainment centres linked through a uniquely designed bridge and the project will add more than 450 new restaurants along with a wide array of luxurious marinas for yachts, and 4 world-class hotels. At the entrance of the Project from Sheikh Zayed Road, an iconic Trade Centre will be constructed comprising 4 levels, including one underground level and three elevated levels linking the Business Bay with the project zone in a total area of more than 50 thousand square metres.

The development of the waterfront will allow for the construction of deluxe residences and private marinas for boats along with pedestrian pathways, cycling tracks, together with fine business outlets, hotels and deluxe restaurants. The project will boost the position of the Jumeirah area as a premier and distinctive destination in Dubai. The project is expected to attract 20 to 22 million visitors per annum.

The ¨Dubai Water Canal¨ will have a depth of six meters and bridges above it will rise more than eight meters, offering free navigation for deluxe yachts extending up to 200 feet. The canal will contribute to renewing the water of the entire Business Bay Canal automatically without any need for hydraulic pumps. An extra flushing capacity will be added to the Dubai Creek when the Canal is connected to Business Bay, by approximately 250 million cubic meter per year.

The total tidal water exchange through the Canal is estimated to be around 800 million Cubic metre per year, and the Canal is anticipated to have a cooling effect, benchmarking to a similar Project “Cheong Gye Cheon” manmade canal in Seoul, where the recorded thermal reduction reached -3.6 C.

Explaining the project features, Al Tayer said: “Works in the project have been split into three contracts; the first and second relate to the construction of crossings over the Canal linking with the key roads intercepting the Canal course; which are Sheikh Zayed Road spanning eight lanes in each direction, and three lanes on each side of Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Road. These crossings are constructed 8.5 meters above the water level, thus allowing for a free navigation in the canal 24 hours a day. The third contract encompasses the drilling and landscaping works as well as the construction of four pedestrian crossings. Four marine stations will be constructed to ease the mobility of the public and promote the public and tourist transport. The marine transit modes are expected to ferry more than six million passengers per annum, according to the marine transport plan in Dubai.

“The RTA will carry out a number of improvements in main roads network intercepting the course of the Canal, besides making some improvements at the surrounding areas such as Jumeirah and Safa; including the construction of service roads at the two banks of the Canal in the surrounding areas such as Jumeirah and Safa to ease the transiting between these areas. As for pedestrians, a free and safe navigation will be provided through the construction of four pedestrian crossings above the Canal including one bridge that contains convenient stores in addition to other tracks designated for practicing light sports such jogging and cycling across the two banks of the Canal. It also covers landscaping works on both sides of the Canal such as greens, benches, relaxation areas and a host of diverse tourist projects and facilities,” added Al Tayer.

Derek Burston, Director of UK-based Bowmedia, organisers of Gulf Sol 2013, said in a statement the GCC countries had demonstrated their keenness to shift towards low-cost solar energy.

A reduction in costs of solar technologies coupled with rising electricity demand could make the region a hub for solar expansion, he added.

Marc Norman, Director of Emirates Solar Industries Association, said the high cost of petrol was making the switch to solar energy increasingly attractive.
Concentrated solar power (CSP) can be used in the oil extraction process by producing and pumping steam into oil reserves.

Norman said that the region would become an attractive market for Chinese companies that are stuck in regulation and trade battles in the US and EU.
However, stability in the region remains an issue for the solar industry.

Farhad Ghafourian, of UAE Container Glass Association, said the raw sand materials used to produce solar photovoltaic (pv) glass are sourced from Egypt.

The Gulf Sol 2013 and Gulf Glass 2013 exhibitions will be held at Dubai World Trade Centre from September 3 to 5.

By Alexander Cornwell Staff Reporter