Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has honoured project owners from the Shams Dubai initiative. DEWA launched Shams Dubai to encourage building owners to install photovoltaic panels to generate electricity and connect the systems to DEWA’s grid.
Honouring the project owners supports DEWA’s vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility. DEWA has recognised these customers as partners who are contributing to the sustainable development of Dubai.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, honoured the project owners in a ceremony at the Dubai Solar Show, which at 13,000 square metres is the biggest of its kind in the region. It was held in conjunction with the 18th Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) 2016 from 4–6 October 2016 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
In his speech, Al Tayer welcomed the guests and emphasised that they are partners of DEWA in achieving the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into a global hub for green economy and clean energy, and ensure that the city has the lowest carbon footprint in the world by 2050.
“DEWA launched the Shams Dubai initiative as one of three initiatives to support the Smart Dubai initiative to transform Dubai into the smartest and happiest city in the world. The Shams Dubai initiative encourages customers to install photovoltaic panels to generate electricity from solar power.
The electricity is used on-site and the surplus is exported to DEWA’s network. An offset between exported and imported electricity is conducted and the customer account is settled based on this offset. The Executive Council of Dubai issued resolution number 46 of 2014, to regulate electricity produced from photovoltaic panels to the power distribution system in Dubai. In addition to Shams Dubai, DEWA also launched the Smart Applications via Smart Meters and Grids initiative and the Green Charger initiative to establish the infrastructure and charging stations for electric vehicles to encourage their use. So far, DEWA has installed 100 charging stations across the Emirate,” said Al Tayer.
“You are our partners in producing clean energy, and achieving the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in November 2015. The strategy consists of five main pillars: Infrastructure, Legislation, Funding, Building capacities and skills, and an Environmentally-friendly energy mix.
The second pillar focuses on the establishment of a legislative structure that supports clean energy policies in two phases. The first phase will be implemented through the Shams Dubai initiative. The second phase includes issuing a set of resolutions on the integration of consumption rationalisation technology and energy production and the requirement to install solar panels on the roofs of all buildings in Dubai by 2030.”
“Today the UAE, through its diverse strategies and investments in clean and renewable energy, is leading global efforts in this, while having one of the largest oil reserves in the world. Dubai is a pioneer in the development of renewable energy and is at the forefront of alternative energy, exploring and seeking new methods of enhancing efficiency, rationalising the consumption of natural resources, finding alternative solutions for conventional energy, and engaging society in achieving sustainable development in the Emirate. HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum once observed, “Working as a team, everybody takes part in building the UAE,”’ said Al Tayer.
Al Tayer pointed that solar energy is connected to DEWA’s grid in two forms. The first is DEWA’s solar power plants such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is managed by DEWA, which is one of the largest renewable energy projects in the region, with a planned production capacity of 5,000MW by 2030. The solar park will help reduce 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The second is producing electricity through the Shams Dubai initiative. DEWA has achieved significant results through the Shams Dubai initiative.
“Once again, I congratulate you and everyone at DEWA on the achievements of the Shams Dubai initiative. This would not have been possible without your continuous efforts, and your understanding of the importance of solar energy, which we are blessed with throughout the year. I encourage you all to become ambassadors of the initiative, and contribute to achieving the vision of our wise leadership, to transform Dubai into a sustainable city, as well as the smartest and happiest city in the world, to ensure a brighter future, for generations to come,” concluded Al Tayer.
The list of government and private organisations honoured at the ceremony included Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International Airport, for the installation of a 30kW project at the employees’ building gate and connecting it to DEWA’s grid, the Emirates Engine Maintenance Centre at Warsan for a 1MW project, the World Trade Centre for connecting a photovoltaic system to the rooftop of the Jumeirah World Trade Centre Residence with a capacity of 31.1 kW that produces 46MWh annually using 102 solar panels over 247 square metres, Premier Composit Technologies in Dubai Investment Park for their 200kW project to produce over 320MWh annually, Dubai Municipality for its 12kW project in Al Kifaf to produce 17MWh annually using 48 solar panels over 127 square metres, and additional projects at Margham (10kW), Al Quoz (15kW), Al Warqa 3 (99.2kW), and Garhoud (29.76kW).
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