Emirates Authority for Standardisation & Metrology (ESMA), the UAE’s sole standardisation body, has officially nominated Emirates Gas LLC (EMGAS), a subsidiary of Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), as the executors of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) activities in the UAE.
At a ceremony held at ENOC’s headquarters in Dubai, ESMA joined EMGAS in making the landmark announcement, which is expected to further drive the usage of CNG as an alternative green automotive fuel in the UAE. The ceremony also marked the official inauguration of the distribution of CNG in the country.
An agreement was signed between ESMA and EMGAS, to underline the official support of ESMA in further popularising the usage of CNG, which will contribute tremendously to the sustainable development initiatives of the UAE.
Mohammed Saleh Badri, Acting Director General of ESMA said: “One of the UAE’s key pillars to drive sustainable growth and achieve our Vision 2021 to be among the best nations in the world is to encourage energy use efficiency. The CNG initiative by EMGAS is path-breaking for its convenience and efficiency, which will contribute to a greener nation. ESMA has evaluated the parameters outlined by EMGAS in their commercial distribution of CNG, and they uphold the highest standards across all aspects of operation. By nominating EMGAS as official executors of CNG, we expect more customers to step forward to use this cleaner and greener automotive fuel.”
Saeed Khoory, CEO of ENOC said: “The ‘Green Economy for Sustainable Development’ vision announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, serves as our guiding principle in initiating and popularising sustainable development initiatives. Through the launch of commercial sale of CNG and providing the requisite support infrastructure, we are focused on further promoting its use for preserving the environment and promoting energy use efficiency. We thank ESMA for nominating EMGAS as the official executors of CNG activities in Dubai.”
Zaid Alqufaidi, ENOC Marketing Managing Director, said: “With the UAE placing increasing focus on promoting alternative sources of energy and driving sustainable growth, CNG has a key role to play in supporting the country’s green vision, for the automotive sector. The announcement by ESMA will encourage more customers to adopt CNG as their choice of cleaner and greener fuel, thus strengthening the UAE’s focus on conserving our resources and protecting the environment for future generations.”
Hesham Ali Mustafa, Senior Director – ENOC Gas Marketing and General Manager of Emirates Gas LLC, said: “The ESMA announcement is a true milestone in our commitment to promote the usage of CNG, as a cleaner and greener automotive fuel. It underlines the highest standards we uphold in delivering the fuel, which will help limit greenhouse gas emissions and promote environmental sustainability. The tremendous response we have received from various governmental entities highlights the strong interest in Dubai to adopt green initiatives to fulfil the sustainable development vision of the government.”
EMGAS, as part of its CNG initiative in Dubai, commenced commercial operations of CNG vehicle refuelling in November 2013. Today, EMGAS has a CNG Mother Station located close to its facilities in Jebel Ali, from where dedicated EMGAS CNG Tankers will receive and distribute CNG to its customers including DP World, Dubai Police and Dubai Airports.
Three dedicated CNG Daughter Stations will be installed at the premises of EMGAS customers for quick and efficient distribution of CNG. The seamless supply of CNG through the Daughter Stations is assured through a fleet of dedicated trailers, which will top up the clean fuel on a regular basis.
EMGAS also owns and operates a CNG mobile filling unit, which tours customer premises to distribute CNG as per their requirement. The advanced and fully-certified CNG mobile filling unit of EMGAS is equipped with 4,869 litres on-board CNG storage, compressor and electronic dispenser.
Several governmental entities and private businesses are in discussions with EMGAS for commencing usage of CNG for their vehicles.
Credited with launching CNG in Dubai through a pilot project with RTA in 2006, EMGAS is the largest supplier of LPG in the UAE, and the market leader in supplying a variety of LPG products and propane used in industrial, commercial establishments and residential areas.