To meet water-demands, UAE eyeing to tow icebergs from Antarctica
The threat posed by depletion of water resources is real. While conserving water and harvesting rain-water are suggested to evade a crisis, a firm in UAE has set on an astounding path. Abu Dhabi business start-up consultancy, National Advisor Bureau Limited plans to tow icebergs from Antarctica to meet water supplies in the cities. The plan's estimated cost is $50 million.
Upon announcement, the plan raised eyebrows around the globe
The project was announced in May last year and prompted frowns from environment experts across the globe. UAE's Ministry of Energy called it a rumor and advised citizens to shun the speculations. But, Abdulla Alshehi, owner of National Advisor Bureau Limited, stayed determined. He outlined the idea in his 2015 book 'Filling the Empty Quarter' and hopes to complete the ambitious project by 2020.
But how will an iceberg come to UAE?
As one would assume, bringing the leviathan iceberg to UAE won't be easy. The journey from South Pole's Heard Island to Fujairah coast is 12,000 km long for which special vessels will be designed. On reaching Fujairah the iceberg will be melted into pure water fit for both humanitarian and commercial purposes. A shorter pilot run is planned for 2019.
Apart from fixing water-crisis, iceberg may also invite rains
Alshehi feels bringing the iceberg to coastline will bring gigantic change in UAE's climate. The icebergs will attract clouds and UAE may get rainfall. Further, it might also serve as a tourist attraction. An average iceberg has 20 billion gallons of water, which is enough to sustain one million people for five years. The firm is working on technology to ensure zero-melting during transportation.
We know what you're thinking: Can an iceberg be towed?
Notably, towing icebergs isn't an alien concept. They are moved out of the way of oil and gas platforms. But the journey isn't more than a few dozen kilometres. For an iceberg to go to UAE, it has to cover 12,000 km. Naturally, it won't be without obstacles. Firstly, a vessel has to be strong enough for an iceberg (which easily weighs 1 million tonnes).
Expert feels the iceberg is likely to be fractured
"The second problem is breakup and melting. It would probably be feasible to get an iceberg a kilometre or two wide up to the Arabian sea, but you'd lose an awful lot of mass on the way. It's quite likely it would fracture," an expert said.
Let's not forget: Grounding iceberg in UAE will wreak devastation
If somehow, the iceberg is brought to UAE shore and melted, the ice water would float on top of seawater and can be used. However, the release of such a large amount of fresh water into the sea will damage it. Moreover, grounding the iceberg will devastate the local marine ecosystem. Will the plan really go through? Only time has the answer.
