Sharjah Authority Completes AED 35 Million Dibba Al Hisn Natural Gas Project
Sharjah completes AED 35m project to bring natural gas to Dibba Al Hisn, with 46 km network, smart meters and 200 home connections to reduce emissions.
The Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority has completed a AED 35 million project to deliver natural gas to Dibba Al Hisn, marking a major expansion of utility services in the emirate. The Dibba Al Hisn natural gas rollout includes a new booster station, a 46-kilometre distribution network and internal connections to roughly 200 residential units. Authorities say the deployment advances Sharjah’s strategic plan to provide cleaner and more efficient energy across its communities.
Project Scope and Cost
The overall programme was financed and managed by the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority with a total budget of AED 35 million. Work was carried out as an integrated scheme composed of three principal packages executed in parallel to accelerate delivery. Officials described the approach as designed to meet high technical standards while minimising disruption to local residents and businesses.
The packages covered construction of a gas boosting station operating on a virtual pipeline system, laying of the distribution mains, and the internal service connections and metering for end users. The parallel execution model compressed timelines and allowed simultaneous commissioning of infrastructure components across the target neighbourhoods.
Network Layout and Areas Covered
The newly installed natural gas network extends for approximately 46 kilometres and is designed to serve multiple districts in and around Dibba Al Hisn. Areas included in the coverage are the North Neighbourhood, West Neighbourhood, Jazirat Al Hisn and Al Dub district, ensuring broad geographic access within the city. The network routes were planned to connect residential clusters, commercial premises and public facilities where feasible.
Engineers applied contemporary routing and trenching techniques to map pipelines while preserving existing utilities and roadways. The scale of the network reflects a long-term commitment to service expansion, with pipe specifications chosen to support steady pressure and reliable delivery of natural gas to new customer connections.
Boosting Station and Technical Systems
A central element of the project is a gas boosting station that operates using a virtual pipeline system to manage supply and pressures across the network. The station includes modern control and monitoring equipment to oversee gas flow and system integrity on a 24/7 basis. Redundant safety systems and automated controls were incorporated to maintain continuous service and rapid response to any operational anomalies.
Project teams installed supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) elements and remote telemetry to enable real-time monitoring and centralized management. According to the authority, these technical systems were selected to align with international best practices for gas distribution and to facilitate future scalability.
Residential Connections and Smart Metering
As part of the roll-out, the scheme provided internal gas connections for approximately 200 housing units, bringing piped supply directly to household appliances and kitchens. Each connected dwelling received a smart meter, enabling accurate consumption measurement and facilitating efficient billing and demand management. Smart metering also supports remote reading and reduces the need for manual intervention.
The authority emphasised that household conversions from cylinder-based cooking to piped natural gas will improve convenience and safety for residents. The program included safety briefings and guidance for new customers on safe appliance use and routine checks to ensure proper connections.
Safety, Efficiency and Environmental Impact
Officials highlighted natural gas as a safer, more economical and environmentally preferable alternative to traditional liquefied petroleum gas cylinders. The fuel’s cleaner combustion profile reduces particulate and carbon emissions compared with cylinder usage, contributing to the emirate’s sustainability objectives. Sharjah’s authority noted that the transition supports broader efforts to lower the carbon footprint of residential energy consumption across the region.
System-wide control measures and continuous monitoring are intended to maintain high safety standards and rapid fault detection. The installation of modern materials and valves, combined with operational protocols, aims to limit leak risks and ensure safe long-term performance of the distribution network.
Strategic Context and Future Expansion
The Dibba Al Hisn natural gas project forms part of the authority’s strategic plan to provide sustainable energy solutions throughout Sharjah’s cities and communities. Engineering officials said the initiative will help meet rising residential and commercial energy needs while aligning with national environmental targets. The project is being presented as a model for further phased expansion into other areas where piped gas is not yet available.
Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority representatives indicated ongoing assessments for extending networks and increasing customer uptake, while also exploring opportunities to integrate additional energy efficiency measures. The authority plans to continue deploying technology upgrades and customer service initiatives to support a smooth transition for new gas consumers.
The successful delivery of the AED 35 million programme brings immediate access to piped natural gas for Dibba Al Hisn residents and sets a framework for continued utility improvements across Sharjah, combining safety, efficiency and environmental benefits.