I Didn't See Nermel

*Click Photos to Enlarge

Gentle Readers,

I have just returned from a day in Abu Dhabi, the Capitol of the UAE, a three hour drive to the south. Saad, Sara and I went to a conference at the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research. The topic of the conference is Future Arabian Gulf Energy Sources, and focused, obviously, on the future of oil and renewable energy resources in the GCCs. The conference was attended primarily by members of the UAE's legislative body, municipal administrators, industry representatives, and diplomats, but with a little string pulling and lying, we were able to gain seats as registered participants. We got plastic ID badges, leather bound folders, books, pens and all. We heard speakers from the IAEA, Saudi and Emirati utility firms, as well as a German research institute. The overall sentiment was that the GCCs are not in the slightest bit interested in replacing their electricity utilities with renewable energy resources. This is somewhat understandable as oil is what has allowed their region to prosper economically. The German, being a stereotypical, intuitive, and reasonable German, tactfully asked the leaders at the summit why not make the common sense switch to renewable electricity production? He addressed the GCC's concerns of not making oil profits by asking why they would want to waste their oil on domestic electricity production within the region when they could convert to renewable energy sources while both increasing supply available to sell in international markets and conserving what they would otherwise be using and extend the longevity of their fossil fuel deposits. He ended by stating that 65% of all electricity production could be supplied by totally renewable energy resources by 2050. Thats a staggering number when you think about it.

A bit about Abu Dhabi: it reminded me a lot of Hollywood except with nicer cars. Palm tree lined boulevards, immaculate skyscrapers, but much more somber than their neighbor to the north, Dubai. After the conference, we went to lunch at the rooftop restaurant in the Royal Meridian Hotel. It was an amazing restaurant with an even more astounding view as we were on one of the highest floors in all of Abu Dhabi. We were appropriately dressed as we had just come from the conference: jacket and collared shirt required. I had one of the most amazing Cesar salads I've had in my life followed by a medium rare roasted duck breast with cherry and green onions. It was some of the best service I've ever encountered at a restaurant.

Table at Al Fanar rooftop restaurant

View from the top: overlooking the Corniche and the Persian Gulf

A bit of Abu Dhabi's Skyline

The Royal Meridian - Restaurant naturally on top

Note: I'll try to include more photos in future posts. I don't want to bore you too much with my words.