Saudi-Egyptian duo produces 1st luxury resort run on renewables

Emirate Heights' complex is situated 300km from Cairo Cairo – Mohiy al-Kardossy Emirates Heights group has announced a pioneering new development on Egypt’s northern coastline, which aims to become the first luxury resort that runs completely on renewable energy sources. Emirates Heights’ Chairman, Sami Quraini, said that the company had insisted on the project because of a belief in the importance of environmentalism over financial gain.
“Without this picturesque nature,” Quraini said, “we wouldn’t have been able to establish the Emirates Heights resort or any other resorts for that matter. Everyone should make pains to maintain this environment and reduce any negative effects on it.”
Sheriff Al Ghalib, Chairman of E-Communications, claimed the project would be an opportunity for “more creativity” by companies looking to develop villages, resorts or even real estate projects. “Although the cost is much higher than electrically operated stations,” Ghalib said, “over time that cost will drop.” He added that depleting fossil fuel reserves, plus increasing prices, gave projects like Emirates Heights’ the extra incentive to push for renewables.
Chairman of Arab-Saudi television channel Factory, Ghazi bin Saleh, stressed the area slated for Emirates Heights was “vast” and therefore ripe for development.
Emirates Heights resort is situated in Sidi Abdel Rahman, over 300 kilometres from Cairo, forming an area of approximately 120 acres on the northern coastline.
The project will use renewable, sustainable energy sources to run a number of facilities, including the largest aqua park on Egypt’s north coast, a diving centre, a Roman amphitheatre and two five-star hotels.