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Clean coal gasification is ideal for Dubai

DUBAI — Dubai could be an ideal location for a clean coal gasification plant, according to Mark Hart, president of Vancouver-based West Hawk Development Corp.

"It would eliminate the air pollution caused by the existing power plants, and it may be much cheaper than burning oil and gas, especially when oil can be exported at a much more profitable return. A plant will also meet the growing demand for electricity created by the tremendous planned development for the future in the UAE," he said. West Hawk is aiming to be the first company to employ coal gasification and liquefaction technology to produce ultra-clean transportation fuels and electric power in British Columbia, Canada.

"It would eliminate the air pollution caused by the existing power plants, and it may be much cheaper than burning oil and gas, especially when oil can be exported at a much more profitable return. A plant will also meet the growing demand for electricity created by the tremendous planned development for the future in the UAE," he said.

Hart was leading a delegation to Dubai to promote investment opportunities arising from the company's $2 billion plan to turn vast coal deposits in Canada's Northwest Territories into synthetic gas. The delegation met with senior officials from the semi-government and private sectors.

"We began our tour in Dubai because of its position as the business and commercial heart of the Middle East region," said Hart. "We also felt that this was the ideal time for the venture because of the increasing trend among both corporate bodies and businessmen to diversify their investments both locally and internationally," he added.

"Coal is now enjoying a revival with prices almost doubling after a few years of decline. This growth is being fuelled by the fact that global energy demand is projected to double over the next 30 years, with two thirds of this demand coming from developing countries," Hart stated.

Interest in coal gasification is surging with conventional oil and gas reserves being used up at a rapid rate, he said. The oil price has been soaring worldwide with no realistic prospects of it coming down in the near future. With oil prices at historically high levels, gasification is becoming an increasingly viable alternative.