Dewa retrofit to slash emissions

Utilities company’s project focuses on seven buildings and power stations to cut 8,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

DUBAI // The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority is to refit seven buildings and replace the lighting at power stations in Jebel Ali and Al Awir, to save on energy.

The scheme, which includes Dewa’s headquarters, will cost Dh37 million and be completed by the end of the year. It aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 8,500 tonnes a year.

“This project helps the authority enhance its operational efficiency by reducing electricity and water consumption, which will then lower the carbon footprint of its facilities,” said Saeed Al Tayer, vice chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.

Mr Al Tayer, also Dewa’s managing director and chief executive, said the moves would add to the authority’s outstanding achievements in energy conservation and sustainability.

At the Jebel Ali and Al Awir power stations, 8,500 indoor and outdoor lights will be replaced by more efficient LED lights.

This will reduce energy consumption by 68 per cent and prevent 6,286 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year.

Apart from Dewa’s headquarters in Al Garhoud, the retrofit programme will also include offices in Hudaiba, Burj Nahar, Al Wasl, Umm Ramool and buildings L and G of the Jebel Ali power station.

Fifty-five steps will be implemented, including upgrades to air-conditioning equipment and applying film to windows to reduce the amount of cool air escaping.

It is expected that the buildings’ energy performance will improve by 31 per cent, with carbon dioxide savings of 2,245 tonnes a year.

The project was financed using energy performance contracting – a new approach in the region.

The scope for improvement within the buildings and financial savings from reduced energy and water use were evaluated by the Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad Esco).

The company, created by Dewa in 2013, is working with Philips Lighting and MAF Dalkia Middle East on the project.

Etihad Esco wants to use energy performance contracting to improve the efficiency of 30,000 existing buildings by 2030.

The Government last year launched an accreditation scheme for energy performance contracting companies.

Six entities are registered with another six awaiting accreditation, said Stephane le Gentil, Etihad Esco chief executive.

Dewa’s announcement is “the start of a lot of activity in Dubai, and a lot of improvement in Dubai buildings”, said Mr le Gentil.

“There are 30,000 buildings that have been identified as having potential; it does not mean we will retrofit all of them but that is the potential.

“There is a lot of work that needs to be done to get to that.”

Etihad Esco is also to launch retrofit schemes at the Jebel Ali Free Zone, where there are 264 buildings, and at the Dubai International Financial Centre, where 14 buildings could benefit.