Emirates National Oil Group (ENOC) reported that it intends to open 60 new fuel stations in Dubai and Sharjah (30 in each emirate) by 2022, stressing that the Corona pandemic did not stop the construction of new stations, but affected the decline in demand for services Car wash and refueling ratios.
She explained that it is scheduled to open 10 new stations in Dubai before the end of this year, including the station for the Expo 2020 Dubai, noting that it has five stations in Sharjah now.
Dubai stations
In detail, the executive director of the retail sector in the Emirates National Oil Group «ENOC», Zaid Abdul Rahman Al-Qafidi, said that the group intends to open 60 new fuel distribution stations in Dubai and Sharjah by 2022, stressing that the Corona pandemic has not stopped construction operations at the sites of the new stations And did not affect the Group's expansion plans.
Al-Qufaidi told Emirates Today that ENOC has opened three stations in Dubai recently, while it is currently working on opening 10 other stations before the end of this year, including the one for the Expo 2020 Dubai, which will be opened next September. In addition to two marine fuel distribution stations, one in the Umm Suqeim area and the other in the Dubai Harbor area, expecting the two plants to open next month.
Expo Service
Al-Qufaidi stated that the group recently delivered a new terminal from the 10 stations to the contractor near the Al Maktoum International Airport area, in preparation for its opening during July 2021, as well as the opening of a new station, finally, near the Dubai Investment Park area, as part of the group's plans to serve the Expo 2020 area. ».
He explained that the group also intends to open 20 new fuel stations in Dubai during the next two years, bringing the total of new stations that are being opened between now and 2022 in the Emirate of Dubai, 30 stations, pointing out that the network of fuel distribution stations belonging to "ENOC" in Dubai and the northern regions currently stand at 144 stations, with Dubai taking the largest share of them with 100 stations.
Sharjah stations
As for Sharjah stations, Al-Qufaidi indicated that the group currently has five fuel distribution stations operating in various regions of the emirate, in addition to six new stations under construction that will be opened before the end of this year.
He added that the group intends to reach the number of its stations in Sharjah by 2022 to 35 fuel stations, with the opening of 30 new stations to meet the expected fuel demand during the coming period, and with the Sharjah market being among the important markets in the sector.
Corona effect
And on the impact of the spread of the Corona virus in the sector, Al-Qufaidi said that the repercussions of "corona" were reflected in the decrease in fuel demand at the stations, at an estimated rate of about 20%, while restricting movement and staying at home in light of the precautionary and preventive measures to counter the spread of the virus, in addition to stopping tourism During the past period, this did not reflect negatively on the use of taxi vehicles and thus on indicators of supplying these vehicles with fuel.
He pointed out that the effect of "Corona" also appeared through the decrease in the demand for car wash services, in varying proportions in the stations of the group, which made the group launch recently additional services for car wash dealers through a free car sterilization service from the inside with every washing process.
Al-Qufaidi stated that with the start of the pandemic, ENOC issued a decision to suspend car cleaning services from inside as a precaution.
"Expo 2020 Dubai" station
The Emirates National Oil Group «ENOC», said that the station is an exhibition
"Expo 2020 Dubai" will be the most supportive of smart and innovative technologies among the group's stations, pointing out that its design is inspired by the shape of the Ghaf tree at the exhibition site.
She indicated that smart, renewable and highly energy-efficient solutions will be employed at the Expo plant, including solar panels and wind turbines that generate energy, noting that the station achieves savings equivalent to 48% of energy consumption, or up to 228 MW annually.