Abu Dhabi: Taweelah A2, the first independently owned and operated power and water company in the UAE, has achieved a significant milestone in its operating life when UAE national cadres undertook all operations, maintenance and support functions without support from expatriate staff for 24 hours.

On July 21, the plant made history by becoming the first Independent Water and Power Producer (IWPP) in Abu Dhabi to run with UAE national staff only for a full 24 hours. Working two separate shifts from 10pm on July 20 until 10pm on July 21, a team of 30 Emiratis ensured the lights remained on and there was water to drink in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Faris Obaid Al Daheri, chairman of the board committee, said in a speech to the participant employees: “We have achieved today a huge accomplishment not only for the sake of the company but for the sake of the whole emirate of Abu Dhabi”.

He pointed out that the production and the sustainability of power and water comes within the strategic priorities. Al Daheri explained that the process of Emiratisation of critical functions at Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) and its partners and all IWPPs “is considered an essential goal; Emirates CMS Power Company had taken an important step to achieve this goal, and we congratulate them on their achievement.”

He congratulated and thanked the administration and employees of Emirates CMS Power Company for their achievements and the integrity of everyone who was involved in attaining this honourable success. “This achievement has also highlighted the capabilities and commitment of national manpower in running and maintaining the power plant and for handling the responsibilities despite the summer high temperatures.

Human resources at the site is managed by Suhail Al Meqbaali who is responsible for recruitment and staff welfare. He explained how the training programme for staff works with employees in technical roles having to pass internal training exams within the company to become competent to operate or maintain equipment. “At each stage of training, staff will be interviewed by a board of examiners who will confirm the trainees’ knowledge and competence. This, together with external training courses and selection of staff with excellent academic qualifications, ensures staff are completely capable of operating or maintaining the plant. The achievement of training our staff and developing them towards independent plant operation was from Hareesh Nambiar, the plant’s general manager.

He has done a great job.”

Operations Manager Eng Mohammad Karam said that all staff had been looking forward to this day for some time. “We were well trained, knew our responsibilities and knew we could deal with any situation the plant could throw at us. We have been working towards this day for some time and understood its importance for our country and industry”.

Khalid Al Hosani, maintenance manager at the Taweelah A2 plant, said, “The plant was supported by UAE engineers and technicians over the 24-hour period, specialising in Mechanical, Electrical and Instrumentation engineering. With hundreds of items of equipment including pumps, motors, valves, control systems, etc, there are many things that can break down due to normal wear and tear. But we had well-trained and competent maintenance staff available to deal with any problem.”