Natural gas-powered AC experiments in Sharjah

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Natural gas connections have soared in Sharjah, as new figures for connections suggest a year-on-year increase of nearly a third, as the emirate tries new ways of using the abundant fuel.

''SEWA is exploring the possibility of using gas in other sectors like air-conditioning” said Eng. Tareq Demas, Director of Natural Gas at the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority .

''Gas connection points saw a substantial increase to 156,859 in 2009 from 133,227 in 2008. Supply of natural gas pumped by gas stations to various Sharjah areas rose 32.3 million cubic metres by the end of 2009 from 26.7 million cubic metres,'' he added.

He said that consumers of natural gas increased spectacularly by 24,700 to 155,163 in 2009 from 130,433.

''SEWA's gas pumping stations have large reserve capacities to satisfy any expected demand for gas in the future,'' he noted.

The increase is due in part to a wider availability of mains gas, and a shift away from older, canister-type PLG cookers in homes. The authority can arrange the conversion of such cookers.