Sultan reviews Sharjah Oasis for Technology and Innovation

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah, reviewed, this afternoon, the exhibition of innovative ideas and the master plan for the Sharjah Oasis for Technology and Innovation’s main building (SOTI).

His Highness was familiarised with the specifics of the designs created by architecture students at the University of Sharjah’s Faculty of Engineering. The Department of Architecture students presented 17 creative architectural concepts for the Sharjah Oasis for Technology and Innovation headquarters’ general layout. The students’ architectural designs were distinguished by their advanced Islamic character, which was integrated with current architectural solutions as well as technical and sustainable solutions.

The Oasis will be a centre for research, innovation, and development, with the goal of providing inspiring opportunities for society, industry, and business, advanced knowledge and skills for graduates, and pioneering applied research in the areas of community sustainability. The Oasis will also promote the development of digital and technological products and services, with a number of centres, facilities, and improved infrastructure planned to serve scientific disciplines such as information technology, communication, artificial intelligence, robotics and related technological developments, sustainable technology,  technological innovation, medical advances in devices, drugs, vaccines, procedures, and systems, as well as space science technology, remote sensing,  space biology sciences, storage, and distribution of renewable energy, ensuring access to modern, reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy for all.

SULTAN attends ceremony of University of Sharjah: Meanwhile, Sheikh Sultan on Monday attended a ceremony to hand over the first honorary doctorates from the University of Sharjah to Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Abdul Rahman Bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, and Dr. Arif Al Nouriani, Executive Director of Al Qassimi Hospital, in the main building of the University in Sharjah.

The attendees watched a documentary film about Sheikh Sultan handing over the honorary doctorate to Sheikha Jawaher in recognition of her distinguished humanitarian and social achievements locally, regionally and globally and her pioneering and qualitative initiatives.

Ruler of Sharjah visits 1.8 GW Hamriyah IPP: His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, visited the under construction 1.8 gigawatts (GW) Hamriyah Independent Power Plant (IPP) for a tour of the facility and an overview of the progress made to date on the project.

Co-developers GE Energy Financial Services and Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation signed an approximately 25 years power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA) in 2018 to develop, build and operate the plant. Following financial close in 2019, co-developers along with Shikoku Electric Power Company and Sharjah Asset Management, the investment arm of the Sharjah Government, formed a joint venture company — SHIPCO — to build, own and operate the project, which is the first independent combined cycle power plant in Sharjah. GE Gas Power is providing turnkey engineering, construction and procurement (EPC) services and supplying three 9HA.01 gas turbines, six generators and three heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs) for the facility. It will also provide parts, repairs and maintenance services for power generation assets at the site for approximately 25 years.

“We are grateful for the guidance and support of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi and committed to achieving SEWA’s 2030 Roadmap to boost the installed power generation capacity in Sharjah to 4,600 megawatts,” said Saeed Sultan Al Suwaidi, Chairman of SEWA. “The Hamriyah IPP is a key component to meeting this goal and is expected to generate up to almost 40 per cent of Sharjah’s power output when it is complete.” Omar Al Mulla, Chairman of SHIPCO, said, “We are delighted to develop a project that will enhance Sharjah’s energy independence and set a new standard for the region’s utilities sector.