Al Gharbia
As government plans come to fruition, Al Gharbia – the western region of Abu Dhabi – will be a model of responsible and sustainable development for desert and arid coastal environments. Indeed, under Plan Al Gharbia 2030, the region’s economy is forecast to double in size, and the population set is to increase from 185,000 in 2010 to 450,000 by the end of the plan. Already a hive of activity in the energy and industrial sectors, other areas of the economy – notably tourism, logistics and agriculture – are proactively being positioned for healthy growth. More specifically, the region is home to extensive hydrocarbons reserves, 7% of global oil reserves and 3% of natural gas deposits. At the same time, energy developments in the region are focusing on solar and nuclear power plant plans, major areas in which Al Gharbia will change the energy landscape of Abu Dhabi. This chapter includes an interview with Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region.
