Reporting: Mohamed Saeed bin Mohaimed
In the middle of night of Thursday, Socotra Island witnesses the “Hand in Hand for
All-Day Light” initiative, which is one of initiatives launched by Khalifa Foundation for permanent electricity services to people of Socotra. It is worth noting that the United Arab Emirates pays significant concern to different fields in Socotra including electricity. Khalifa Foundation supported operation of 5 power plants across the Island through Dexam Power and Water Technology Company.
This initiative will be conducted in coordination with the participating authorities for 5 minutes starting from 11:55 to 12:00 AM on Thursday, December 31, 2020 coinciding with the New Year.
Engineer Yasser Al Aani, Executive Director of Dexam Power and Water Technology, highlighted that Khalifa Foundation always concerned with providing people of Socotra with permanent electricity. The Foundation constructed Sheikh Zayed 1 Plant with 5 MW capacity in addition to solar power field with a capacity of 2.5 MW. It also constructed Sheikh Zayed 2 in Hadiboh, Sheikh Zayed 3 in Muri, and Sheikh Zayed 4 in Qalansiyah with capacity of 9 MW, 3 MW and 2 MW respectively. Furthermore, another solar power field with a capacity of 1 MW and Sheikh Zayed 5 in Alama and Western Coastline will be operated soon in 2021.
He added that Setorah Plant would be launched in 2021, which would provide Nujed, Setorah and Qaraha with electricity.
He also mentioned that the Island would witness completion of one of the most important projects on the Island soon, which would be the first of kind solar power field in the Middle East with a capacity of 2.5 MW.