The UAE - Role Of Coal Revived - Canadian Promoter in Dubai.

The CEO of Canada's West Hawk Development Corp. recently visited Dubai to promote investment opportunities arising from the company's $2 bn plan to turn vast coal deposits in Canada's Northwest Territories into synthetic gas. Dr. Mark Hart, president of West Hawk, met some senior officials from the semi-government and private sectors from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Hart was on June 6 quoted in Dubai as saying: "We began our promotional tour in Dubai because of its position as the business and commercial heart of the Middle East region. 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".

Hart said coal now was enjoying a revival with prices almost doubling after several years of decline. He added: "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 the developing countries. Dubai may be an ideal candidate for a clean coal gasification plant. 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 the oil can be exported at a much more profitable return and it will also meet the growing demand for electricity created by the tremendous planned development for the future in the UAE".

The company has more than 10 bn tons of coal which can be converted into gas reserves, and is in the process of adding another 5 bn tons in the reserve category at various sites. Hart pointed out that interest in coal gasification was surging as conventional oil and gas reserves were being depleted at a rapid rate.