Dubai Supreme Council of Energy conducts workshop on energy demand

DUBAI–The DubaiSupreme Council of Energy has organised a workshop on Energy Demand Side Management Strategy to mark the first anniversary of its implementation.

The workshop, held at the Shangri-La Dubai hotel, was attended by HE Ahmed Butti Al Muhairabi, Secretary General of the Council, Omar Al Qurashi, Manager of Corporate Communications, and Faisal Rashid, Manager of Demand Side Management, as well as representatives of the major organisations that contribute to implementing the energy demand side management strategy, including Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Dubai Municipality, the Regulation and Supervisory Bureau for Electricity and Water in Dubai, Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology and Etihad ESCO.

The workshop highlighted the main achievements of the Strategy to reduce demand for energy by 30% by 2030 in cooperation with all participating government bodies. Dubai’s focus is to conserve energy and increase efficiency to promote the Emirate’s competitiveness and sustainability. The workshop discussed the mechanisms to set up an Energy Efficiency Agency this year to manage energy projects in Dubai under the umbrella of the Supreme Council of Energy.

“The energy demand side management strategy and action plan developed will contribute significantly to achieving the goals set by the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, which complements the goals of the Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative and the UAE Vision 2021,” said Al Muhairbi.

“The strategy for energy demand management is the first of its kind in the region. It will lead to providing work for companies that specialise in sustainability and energy efficiency,” added Al Muhairbi.

The energy demand side management strategy launched by the Council in June 2013 is evaluated by the Executive Committee of the Supreme Council of Energy in undertaking its work and providing adequate support to all bodies involved.

The demand side management strategy comprises eight major programmes: green building specifications and systems, retrofitting existing buildings, district cooling, raising the standards and efficiency of appliances, equipment and lighting, recycling wastewater for use in irrigation. The energy demand side management strategy uses enabling mechanisms in line with current international best practices and similar programmes implemented throughout the world including capacity-building, public awareness and appropriate policy and regulatory frameworks, information systems, and measurement and funding mechanisms for the Emirate of Dubai.