Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced that the energy savings programme implemented in its buildings and at electricity generation and water production plants, has achieved savings exceeding AED15 million in 2017.
This supports DEWA’s vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility. DEWA has set up an energy-management committee to increase the efficiency of electricity and water use in its buildings by implementing a number of measures to rationalise and monitor use, as well as identify and address the causes of any increase in consumption. The internal procedures have contributed to annual savings of AED1.86 million. In addition, DEWA signed two Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) with Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO) to improve and enhance the overall energy efficiency of the lighting infrastructure of the power and water plants at Jebel Ali, as well as 7 of DEWA’s buildings. Etihad ESCO conducted a technical audit for DEWA’s facilities to identify energy efficiency measures to reduce consumption.
“Through the two energy-efficiency projects in DEWA’s buildings and electricity and water production plants, we aim to become a role model for implementing energy efficiency practices. This is done through Energy Savings Performance Contracts in cooperation with the private sector. This also supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to transform Dubai into a global hub for clean energy and green economy, and establish a sustainable model of energy conservation that supports economic growth without damaging the environment or its resources. Our goal is to become the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world by 2050. These efforts also support the Demand Side Management Strategy to reduce electricity and water use by 30% by 2030,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
The first project involves the introduction of state-of-the-art energy-saving systems and the use of high-efficiency lighting systems at DEWA’s electricity and water stations in Jebel Ali. The first phase of the project, which was implemented in 2016, included the installation of 8,508 LED lighting units, which contributed to a 76% reduction in consumption, equivalent to annual savings of AED6.8 million with the costs being recouped within 3 years. The second phase, which was implemented in 2017, included the installation of 15,000 LED lighting units to achieve an annual saving of AED 4.22 million with the costs being recouped within 5 years. The third phase of the first project is currently being implemented to replace nearly 35,000 lighting units.
It is expected to save AED10 million annually with the costs being recouped within 3 years. The second project involves retrofitting 7 of DEWA’s buildings, through improvements in air conditioning systems and equipment, water systems, lighting and installation of motion sensors to control them, as well as thermal insulation of the glass facades. This contract will reduce electricity and water consumption by 30%, saving AED 2.23 million annually, with the costs being recouped within 6 years. The two projects are expected to contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 22,750 metric tonnes annually, equivalent to planting 26,700 trees annually.