Dubai: Nakheel, the developer behind Dubai's three Palm islands, says it will potentially supply more than half of all the residential developments being built in the emirate over the next 20 years.
The company will develop more than two billion square feet of land in Dubai in that period, it says.
Supplying this huge area with electricity and water is likely to place considerable strain on Dubai's existing services.
The hotel and residential population of Nakheel's coastal projects - The World, the three Palm islands and Dubai Waterfront, which is linked to Palm Jebel Ali - is projected at almost three million.
It has forced senior Nakheel officials to meet with members of Dewa (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) to hammer out a plan to meet future utility requirements.
An alliance between the two will help provide Nakheel's projects, such as The Palm Jum-eirah, The Palm Jebel Ali, The Palm Deira and Jum-eirah Park with the infrastructure to help it integrate with Dubai's wider development.
"The visit to Nakheel was extremely useful to us and we received an overall brief about Nakheel projects power and water demands and expected date of requirements," said Rashid Humaidan, Dewa executive vice-president of consumer services.
Dewa says has it met senior officials from Nakheel, including chief executive Chris O'Donnell, to enhance regular communication, increase liaison between the two organisations and to determine the demands that Nakheel developments will make on its services.
The alliance follows similar partnerships between Nakheel and major service providers the Road Transport Authority and telecommunications provider du.
Projected population at Nakheel's projects
Palm Jumeirah: 70,000
Palm Deira: 1 million
Palm Jebel and Dubai Waterfront: 1.7 million
The World: 120,000
