The initiative also offers an investment opportunity for commercial property developers in the city to construct new buildings or convert their existing properties into residential units for low-income residents. Silvia Razgova / The National
The initiative also offers an investment opportunity for commercial property developers in the city to construct new buildings or convert their existing properties into residential units for low-income residents. Silvia Razgova / The National
The initiative also offers an investment opportunity for commercial property developers in the city to construct new buildings or convert their existing properties into residential units for low-income residents. Silvia Razgova / The National
The initiative also offers an investment opportunity for commercial property developers in the city to construct new buildings or convert their existing properties into residential units for low-incom

Abu Dhabi buildings set for efficiency retrofits


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Abu Dhabi will begin tendering projects to help to reduce energy and water consumption at up to 3,000 non-residential buildings throughout the emirate over the next five years.

Under its Tarsheed programme, the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (Adwea), with the emirate’s Department of Economic Development (DED) and the Ministry of Economy, has started registering energy services companies (escos) to retrofit buildings with more efficient cooling, lighting and pump technology.

“It is intended for helping our customers, through specialised companies, to reduce their consumption of water and electricity,” said Saif Al Seiari, Adwea’s acting director general.

The initiative, covering government, commercial and institutional buildings, could save 445,000 megawatt hours per year, the equivalent of the output of a medium-sized power plant, contributing to Abu Dhabi’s target to reduce water and electricity consumption by 20 per cent by 2030, according to the DED’s statement.

While the emirate’s Estidama programme, launched in 2010, sets out efficiency standards for all new buildings, this is the first time existing structures have been targeted. Clusters of buildings will be tendered starting in the second quarter with government buildings and private buildings in 2019.

The projects will be tendered on a performance contract basis, meaning that building owners will pay nothing upfront for the engineering and construction costs of the upgrade. The esco instead is responsible for design and construction work and provides the capital required for the improvements. This investment will then be recouped over the life of the performance contract, typically four or five years, through the difference in utility costs.

“The esco is incentivised to achieve the targeted consumption reduction in order to recover its investment over the contract life,” the DED said.

Khalifa Al Mansouri, the DED’s acting undersecretary in Abu Dhabi, said this initiative will help “public and private entities to reduce their capital and operational expenditure thus bolstering the competitiveness of their products in the local and international markets”. All interested escos will need to register with the Tarsheed programme.

“The esco has to submit … information, similar to Dubai’s requirements, such as three references and financial statements of the company,” said Stephane Le Gentil, the founder and chief executive of the esco consultancy Wattaqa.

Mr Le Gentil said there are fewer than 30 escos operating in the UAE, with new companies coming to the market – but four years ago there were only a couple.

“This means that Abu Dhabi will be moving forward and other emirates, such as Sharjah, will follow.”

lgraves@thenational.ae

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Studying addiction

This month, Dubai Medical College launched the Middle East’s first master's programme in addiction science.

Together with the Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation, the college offers a two-year master’s course as well as a one-year diploma in the same subject.

The move was announced earlier this year and is part of a new drive to combat drug abuse and increase the region’s capacity for treating drug addiction.

The Freedom Artist

By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable
Amitav Ghosh, University of Chicago Press

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid

When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

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The Saga Continues

Wu-Tang Clan

(36 Chambers / Entertainment One)

Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
  • Drones
  • Animals
  • Fireworks/ flares
  • Radios or power banks
  • Laser pointers
  • Glass
  • Selfie sticks/ umbrellas
  • Sharp objects
  • Political flags or banners
  • Bikes, skateboards or scooters
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

The Details

Kabir Singh

Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series

Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga

Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa

Rating: 2.5/5