• Home
• /
• UAE

Green permit to help residents save energy bills

Dubai - Al Safat green building rating system will be fully operational in September

The Al Safat green building rating system that Dubai Municipality (DM) launched on Tuesday will help residents save their energy bills on the long run.
Under the new system, it has become mandatory for all Dubai buildings to follow green infrastructure through achieving requirements for minimum bronze certification.
However, parties are encouraged to apply for elements to qualify for three remaining categories of platinum, gold and silver that will increase environmental benefits and save more energy.
The new rating system, which will go in action in September, will ensure structures are environmentally responsible, resource-efficient and produce less carbon emissions.
The green building code has been introduced since 2011 where more than 90 per cent of new buildings in Dubai have already became green.
But since March 2014 until June 2016, the Building Department licensed more than 15,000 green buildings with a total area of more than 185 million square feet.
Engineer Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of DM, said while buildings currently follow basic green practices in their roof installation, use of lighting and ventilation, requirements will go higher for upper categories that provide more environmental benefit.
"We aim to have buildings that will stop producing waste or relying on external sources of electricity and water. Achieving sustainable buildings that will completely rely on its own resources is the target," said Lootah.
He stated that for more than 100,000 old buildings that were established before 2001, certain environmental practices will be introduced to modify energy use and reduce consumption.
Engineer Essa Al Haj Al Maidoor, the Deputy Director General of DM, said Al Safat was introduced after studying 255 global practices with the aim to evaluate and select law that would have environmental impact.
"Unlike other practices, Al Safat is not just rating, it is a permit system for buildings. Owners and developers cannot get permit if they don't follow green practices," said Al Maidoor.
Choose the right building
The municipality's head of the research department and building systems Eng. Ahmed Saeed Al Bidwawi said the new rating system will help residents pick buildings with right practices and determine how much they can save.
He added a "significant" reduction of energy costs will be witnessed depending on the classification of the building.
"A building that is platinum certified will help residents save more energy than a gold-certified building," said Al Bidwawi.
He stated that classifications introduced will give building owners marketing value and will promote competition for sustainability among developers.
While adopting Al Safat standards will raise building cost to 5 per cent, there will be a rent limit upon owners of different categories. Rent price limits are currently under discussion.
"The real incentive is the green building that will save your money for running cost," said Al Bidwawi.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com