The phase-3 complex of Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), a major free zone dedicated to higher education and a member of Tecom, has won the coveted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Leed) certification.

With this, the phase 3 complex becomes the first and the largest Leed certified academic facility in the Middle East.

DIAC phase-3 has received the Silver Leed certification, and is expected to save approximately Dh2.3 million ($627,000) per year from reduced energy costs, district cooling demand changes, irrigation water costs, sewage tanker and domestic water cost.

Comprising four academic building and a food court spread over a total built up area of 600,000 sq ft, DIAC phase-3 features several green building components such as heat recovery wheels, enhanced levels of insulation, optimization of fresh air through variable speed drives on air handling units, recessed windows, and significantly low lighting power densities.

The mechanisms are anticipated to make the cluster 21.7 per cent more energy efficient than the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 90.1 – 2004 standards.

“The Silver LEED certification of DIAC phase-3 buildings reflects our profound commitment to evolve as a more environment-friendly organisation,” said Dr Ayoub Kazim, executive director for DIAC.

“DIAC is committed to reducing carbon emissions, a fact underpinned by the implementation of a series of initiatives such as the energy and water conservation programmes,” he added.

“We are committed to providing our students and faculty a healthy and productive learning environment. And we hope to spread the message not only through demonstration, but also by encouraging our students to engage in green building assessment projects.”

DIAC’s Leed-certification initiative was achieved with the collaboration of Tecom Investments’ Sustainable Energy and Environment Division (SEED).

To date, Tecom Investments has a total of 46 projects seeking Leed certification. Each entity under the Tecom Investments umbrella currently boasts at least one building that is pursuing one category of Leed certification.

Ali bin Towaih, executive director of SEED, Tecom Investments, said: “While Tecom Investments is a knowledge-based corporation with the largest number of existing building projects pursuing Leed certification in the region, we continue to demonstrate our relentless commitment towards endorsing sustainable development in the region that will make our projects more energy, water and resource efficient. Our primary goal is to attach a certain level of accountability to our developments.”

Over the last two years, Tecom Investments has taken a proactive approach to reducing its carbon footprint in the region.

It recently earned the distinction of becoming the first-ever corporation in the Middle East to implement a sustainable development policy, providing a comprehensive guideline for all Tecom buildings to reduce energy costs. – TradeArabia News Service