"Baldco" Emirati and"Celtic" Korean launches a joint energy and food technology project
ABU DHABI, 16th February, 2018 (WAM) – Abu Dhabi National Building Materials Company “Bildco” – a public joint stock company – signed a cooperation agreement with the South Korean company Celtic to implement a sustainable joint project for energy and food technology at a cost of 180 million dirhams, in the Mushairef area in Abu Dhabi.
The launch of this project comes within the efforts of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to provide sustainable solutions in the field of food, water and energy, through the use of the latest advanced sustainable technologies.
The agreement aims to develop a sustainable community on an area of 1 million square metres, through an integrated agricultural photovoltaic energy facility, which supports the transition towards renewable energy and enhances food security within the UAE.
The new project includes developing and operating solar energy generation facilities with a size of 52 megawatts, which will be implemented in 3 phases, and establishing a potato tissue cultivation laboratory with a targeted annual production capacity of 300 million potato seeds for local and international distribution, in addition to implementing additional agricultural technology initiatives.
The first phase of this project will be prepared and equipped before the end of this year.
His Excellency Rasheed Ali Al Amira, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Baladco, said that the project will support the agricultural sector and achieve food security in the UAE, in addition to generating energy from renewable sources, which supports the company’s efforts towards sustainability and reducing carbon emissions in line with the country’s efforts in this regard.
Al-Amira added: “This sustainable project is considered the company’s first project during the current year, as it is expected that more projects and company agreements will be revealed that will enhance the company’s position and its contribution to achieving further growth in the country’s national economy.”
In turn, Prin Bong Ho Cho, President and CEO of the Korean company Celltec, said: “We are proud to cooperate with the Emirati company “Bildco” to launch this joint sustainable project, which will produce 52 megawatts of sustainable energy based on solar radiation, in addition to producing potato seeds reaching 300 million seeds annually.”
Ho Cho added, “The Korean company Celtic’s technology significantly reduces the growing cycle to just 70 days, allowing up to four harvest cycles per year, which is a significant improvement compared to traditional farming methods that typically produce only one harvest cycle per year. The ability to double production cycles within the same area of land not only enhances overall productivity, but also improves supply chain stability by reducing dependence on seasonal weather patterns.”
He continued: “Also, the G0 potato seeds produced through the “Celtic” system are characterized by superior genetic quality and high resistance to common potato diseases, which leads to increased yields and reduced dependence on chemical pesticides in subsequent generations. This technical advantage contributes to more sustainable agricultural practices, reduces environmental impact, and improves the profitability of commercial farmers.”
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