UAE ministry denies plans to tow icebergs for drinking water

The UAE’s Ministry of Energy has dismissed reports of plans to tow icebergs to the country from Antartica for drinking water as “just a rumour”.

Earlier this month, Gulf News cited Abdullah Mohammad Sulaiman Al Shehi, managing director of Masdar City-based creative consultancy National Advisor Bureau Limited, as confirming plans were underway to make the initiative a reality.

Read: Abu Dhabi firm proposes towing icebergs to the UAE for drinking water

He said the firm had mapped a route and run the variables through a simulator.

It planned to begin the project, which was expected to be a major draw for tourists and provide drinking water, in 2018, according to the publication.

However, in a statement issued on Monday regarding the country’s draft water security strategy the Ministry of Energy urged the public and social media users to “shun” rumours and ensure news or information is accurate.

The ministry refuted reports that “an iceberg or water being imported through a pipeline from another State is underway” along with another plan for an underground pipeline from another country, according state news agency WAM.

“As the authority in charge of water affairs, it would like to confirm that such news is just a rumour,” the ministry said.