Dubai has witnessed rapid growth in the energy efficiency market in 2016, having launched energy efficiency projects worth nearly Dh200 million ($54.4 million), said the emirate’s Regulatory & Supervisory Bureau (RSB) for electricity and water.

In its 2016 annual report, the RSB said the projects launched by its accredited energy service companies are expected to deliver annual electricity savings of 95 gigawatt hours and water savings of 210 million imperial gallons (MIGD).  Almost 2,000 buildings will benefit from retrofitting of energy saving measures.

The RSB highlighted the substantial progress made by the emirate’s independent power producer model.  Power plants licensed by the RSB will constitute 18 per cent of power generation capacity by 2021.

With cooling accounting for more than half of electricity demand, the RSB’s report highlights the benefits of water-cooled technology, particularly when it makes use of recycled, rather than desalinated water.  In addition, cooling systems using recycled water for cooling districts are more efficient in power consumption by 30 per cent, when compared to air-based cooling systems.

“RSB is under the supervision of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy. Its responsibilities include the accreditation of energy service companies and the licensing of new companies investing in the energy sector in Dubai,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, vice chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.

“Etihad Energy Services is committed to providing energy performance contracts to customers, estimating the savings that can be achieved by developing air conditioning systems, more efficient lighting, and improving building systems. This is in line with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform the emirate into a global hub for clean energy and green economy, and in adherence with the Demand Side Management Strategy to reduce energy and water demand by 30 per cent by 2030,” he added.

“We strive to achieve the Dubai Plan 2021, which aims to make Dubai a smart, integrated, and connected city that sustainably manages its resources and has a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, as well as achieving the Carbon Abatement Strategy to reduce carbon emissions to 16 per cent by 2021,” Al Tayer explained.

“The establishment of ESCO’s accreditation system in the RSB, and the launch of Etihad Energy Services have enhanced investment opportunities in the retrofit market in Dubai, for energy efficiency contracts, financial institutions, green equipment suppliers and technology suppliers. Work is underway to retrofit more than 30,000 existing buildings in Dubai. The total cost of this ambitious strategic project is approximately Dh30 billion ($8 billion), with returns of Dh82 billion, and a net profit of Dh52 billion,” added Al Tayer.

“We are proud to have played our part in increasing the reliance on renewable energy resources, in the power generation systems and support investments in energy efficiency projects. We congratulate the energy service companies we have accredited, who are proving successful in delivering substantial energy savings for their clients,” said Ali bin Abdullah Al Owais, chairman of RSB for Electricity & Water in Dubai. – TradeArabia News Service