Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) has signed an agreement of cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Infrastructure Development aimed at supporting the application of sustainability best practices.

Engineer Abdullah bin Mohammed Balheif Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Infrastructure Development, witnessed the signing of the agreement, which took place between Engineer Hassan Mohammed Jumaa Al Mansouri, undersecretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, chief executive officer of Masdar, said a statement from the company.

Under the agreement, Masdar aims to provide technical advice in implementing a sustainable system in projects, as well as ways to develop and implement a strategy aimed at strengthening the current sustainability standards of the ministry, it said.

Al Mansouri welcomed the cooperation with Masdar, highlighting its role in supporting the UAE's approach to sustainability and environmental conservation, and in achieving the UAE Vision 2021 and the UAE Centennial 2071 Plan, it added.

He pointed out that the ministry seeks to look at the future of sustainability by launching initiatives that are closely related to the sustainability system and focusing on innovative ideas in the same field.

Al Ramahi said: “This agreement builds on our existing relationship with the ministry and other governmental entities, which has seen us collaborate on a number of highly successful energy efficiency projects in the UAE.”

“These have included a comprehensive energy audit of more than 70 buildings within Abu Dhabi island on behalf of Abu Dhabi Municipality; corporate level energy audits on behalf of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; the installation of solar panels at Ras Al Khaimah Hospital, also for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs; and an ongoing project with the Zayed Housing Programme to build sustainable and affordable private homes based on our Eco-Villa prototype at Masdar City,” he added.

Al Ramahi continued: “Through this latest agreement, our Energy Services department will be working closely with the ministry’s teams to help design a consistent set of sustainability standards that may be applied across its UAE projects, whilst at the same time, implementing sustainability best practices throughout the ministry’s operations.”

“With improved energy efficiency a core component of the UAE 2050 Energy Plan, covering both existing buildings as well as new urban infrastructure, Masdar is taking the lead in offering a suite of energy efficiency enhancement services to both government and private sector clients, from auditing through to the financing and implementation of retrofitting projects,” he concluded.

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development is responsible for developing urban infrastructure plans, proposing policies and strategies to support the development of the housing sector and associated facilities.

The ministry also works with federal authorities to oversee the allocation of housing, control and maintenance of public facilities, and the development and management of the federal road network in the UAE, as well as the implementation of government buildings and facilities in various emirates of UAE.

The ministry has taken the initiative to include leading sustainability standards in its projects, including the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges, housing delivery, education and health projects. Masdar's experience will assist in assessing the most appropriate sustainability practices and internationally recognised certification systems.

The agreement between the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Masdar is expected to lead to future projects aimed at enhancing energy conservation and sustainability in the UAE and the region, said a statement.

For its part, Masdar, through its Energy Services Department, provides integrated solutions in energy management, both on the supply and demand side. These include contracting for energy performance projects, improving and modernizing buildings, replacing and improving heating, ventilation and air conditioning and improving utility lighting.

Masdar has previously conducted energy audits in the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the UAE Embassy in Washington DC, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service