Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) is installing solar panels on the roofs of 640 villas for UAE nationals in Hatta, free of charge.

This initiative is part of the effort to contribute to the enhancement of environmental sustainability and make Dubai one of the most sustainable cities in the world. It also supports the Shams Dubai initiative and the Hatta Comprehensive Development Plan.

Dewa conducted field visits to homes of UAE Nationals in Hatta to explain the process of installing solar panels. The programme of visits featured an introductory meeting attended by representatives from Dewa, a delegation from Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO) and Hatta’s official representative, apart from several dignitaries and Hatta residents.

During the meeting, Dewa representatives briefed the attendees about the project and its objectives, and introduced Dewa’s Etihad ESCO as the company responsible for project management and technical supervision. The project is expected to be completed by February 2018.

The field visits saw the participation of more than 40 volunteers. The volunteers included members of Dewa staff, youth residing in Hatta, and volunteer organisations. The visits, which were supported by Dubai Municipality and Dubai Police explained the initiative and its objectives to homeowners, gathered their feedback and took initial approval on the initiative. The project aims to transform Hatta residents from energy consumers to green consumers and producers of clean energy. It also seeks to contribute to the protection of the environment for generations to come.

“Dewa is a strategic partner in the implementation of the Hatta Comprehensive Development Plan launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. We are keen to encourage Hatta residents to participate in Shams Dubai, a key pillar of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to transform Dubai into a global hub for clean energy and green economy, and to provide 75 per cent of Dubai’s energy through clean sources by 2050. The initiative also supports the Demand Side Energy Management Strategy, which seeks to reduce energy and water demand by 30 per cent by 2030, driving the country's sustainable development and making Dubai one of the most sustainable cities in the world,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa.

“Shams Dubai aims to establish a sustainable model of energy conservation that can be exported to the whole world by supporting the long-term initiative launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum under the slogan ‘Green Economy for Sustainable Development’, to create a green economy in the UAE, and achieve the UAE Vision 2021,” added Al Tayer.

“Dewa will work in cooperation with Etihad ESCO to design and install solar panels on the rooftops of houses in the Hatta area, providing them with a guarantee for the panels installed for one full year, free of charge, which will result in many environmental and economic benefits for them. The value of energy produced will be deducted from the electricity consumption bill of each household. The production capacity is expected to cover a large portion of the total bill. The project will contribute to the overall development of the region,” Al Tayer further said.

He noted that it will also support efforts to diversify the energy mix in Dubai, and involve the public in reducing the carbon footprint of the Emirate, pointing out that the project has been well received by Hatta residents. Al Tayer further said that the residents praised the initiatives of the UAE’s leadership as well as Dewa’s programmes and projects, which they said provide them with the key services and facilities required for a green lifestyle. – TradeArabia News Service