Dubai to double energy efficiency by 2030

Dubai's energy efficiency is all set to double by 2030. Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) has joined the United Nation's Building Efficiency Accelerator (BEA) partnership to achieve this.
Building efficiency policies can result in energy demand reductions of 25-50 per cent, for both new and existing buildings, saving money and reducing pollution.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of DSCE, said that Dubai is one of 12 new cities to join the BEA programme, which now has 23 member cities.
"By joining BEA, Dubai now has access to a global network of 30 businesses, government organisations, and technical experts who specialise in improving building energy efficiency. BEA supports local collaboration and planning to improve buildings, lower energy costs and make people more comfortable and productive, at home, and in the workplace," said Al Tayer.
For every $1 invested in building efficiency, $2 are saved in new electricity generation and distribution costs, noted Al Tayer in a statement.
"The BEA is an important programme for Dubai to achieve the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 to reduce 30 per cent of energy demand by 2030," said Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of DSCE.
A recent report released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) showed that the global rationalisation of consumption and management of energy demand has received a total annual investment of $385 billion. Al Tayer said the investment is expected to increase to $5.8 trillion by 2030, dedicating $125 billion to buildings by 2020, since the building sector accounts for about one-third of global energy use, and one-quarter of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Measures of the BEA will include updating policies and building codes, developing more creative techniques to enhance efficiency, rehabilitation of existing buildings such as hospitals, schools, and government buildings, and setting regulations for energy use within buildings.
"Joining BEA will help to foster a culture of efficiency in existing and new buildings through best practices and learning from other city experiences to ensure a sustainable environment for future generations," added Al Muhairbi.
LEDing the way ahead
Advanced street lighting systems and replacing conventional street lights with LED technology would reduce carbon footprint and save energy, added Al Tayer.
A delegation from DSCE and Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recently visited the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting in the US, as part of mutual visits to enhance cooperation and get acquainted with the best international practices. The Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting has extensive experience in efficient street lighting for greater savings on electricity and water.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the board of Executive Directors of RTA, said: "The RTA also aims to convert all conventional street lights to LED technology by 2030 and reduce carbon footprint by more than 3,000 tonnes per annum as a result. Over the past three years, the RTA has accomplished 45 projects and initiatives related to energy and the green economy."
"The visit forms part of our efforts to support Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Demand Side Management Strategy that aims to reduce energy demand by 30 per cent by 2030 and involves nine programmes that are all connected to our daily life. These include green building regulations, retrofitting existing buildings, district cooling, wastewater reuse, laws and standards for raising efficiency, energy-efficient street-lighting, and the Shams Dubai initiative to regulate the generation of solar energy in buildings," noted Al Tayer.
"We work side by side with the RTA to achieve our mutual strategic goals. The Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting is one of the leading government organisations in the world particularly in the use of street lighting powered by LED technology and other advanced solutions related to solar energy and the smart city concept, among others," said Ahmed Butti Al Muhairbi, Secretary-General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com