Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has launched the ‘Peak Load’ awareness campaign to encourage people to limit the use of appliances that use a lot of energy during peak-load hours from 12-6pm. This is part of DEWA’s ‘Let’s Make This Summer Green’ campaign which includes tips and guidelines for reducing electricity and water use during the summer. DEWA is urging customers to reschedule the use of appliances such as water heaters, electric ovens, washing machines, dishwashers, and irons for use during the morning or evening.
“DEWA supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to transform Dubai into a global hub for clean energy and green economy, and make it the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world. DEWA also supports the Demand Side Management Strategy to reduce electricity and water use by 30% by 2030. Through DEWA’s campaigns and initiatives, we aim to promote conservation, to make it a daily behaviour for society members, and encourage everyone to adopt a conscious and responsible lifestyle to ensure the sustainability of natural resources, for generations to come,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
Al Tayer noted that DEWA adopts a comprehensive strategy to raise awareness about the importance of the sensible use of energy and water and involving everyone in DEWA’s efforts to protect the environment and preserve natural resources. This is done through various environmental programmes and initiatives as well as awareness campaigns. These campaigns have achieved significant savings over the past years, and proved that all members of society can contribute to supporting the national and global efforts to combat climate change and global warming, by adopting positive practices at work and at home.
Amal Koshak, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications at DEWA, noted that the ‘Peak Load’ campaign urges customers to use high energy consuming appliances in the morning or evening; outside peak-load hours from 12 to 6pm, as much as possible. High energy demand during summer months, especially during peak-load hours, leads to generating more energy, which means using more fuel. This in turn, releases more carbon emissions.
DEWA’s programmes and initiatives achieved significant savings in electricity and water across all sectors. Between 2009 and 2017, customers saved over 1.677 TW/h of electricity and 6.66 billion gallons of water, worth over AED 1.038 billion. The savings resulted in offsetting around 900,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. DEWA’s programmes and initiatives managed to reduce electricity use by 19% and water by 27% in the residential sector. The commercial sector reduced electricity use by 9% and water by 29%. The industrial sector reduced electricity use by 14% and water by 28%. Educational institutions succeeded in reducing electricity use by 10% and water by 24%. Government and semi-governmental organisations reduced electricity use by 12% and water by 21%. Accumulated savings from electricity and water consumption, equate to over one million trees, more than 104 million LED light bulbs, and over 12,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.