The use of the energy-efficient 'Dubai Lamp' has been made mandatory for all new developments run by the Dubai Municipality, according to a memo issued by the municipality to all consultancies, contractors and developers operating in the emirate.

The initiative comes as part of the sustained efforts made by the Government of Dubai to ensure sustainability in all its developments and programmes in collaboration with international consultancies. Such efforts have fructified into the development of the world’s first commercially viable 200 lumen per eatt LED (light-emitting diode) lamp which cuts electricity use by up to 95 per cent and can last an average of 25,000 hours longer than a conventional lamp, said a Wam news agency report.

Layali Al Mulla, director of DM's Buildings Department, said all consultancies have to develop a proper mechanism relevant to the nature of their projects whereby commitment to the use of Dubai Lamp has to be ensured across all developments, including those under-construction.

Effective December 2017, Dubai Municipality will verify the use of the Dubai Lamp across all buildings and its use will be one of the conditions for issuing the Building Completion Certificate, the report said.

"In case other lamps similar to the Dubai Lamp have already been purchased or contracted upon ahead of issuing this memo, the contractor concerned shall have to submit the relevant purchase invoices while applying for the Building Completion Certificate," she said.