Tips to reduce utility bills
Users need to adopt certain devices and best practices in order to reduce bills and conserve energy. For more information check:
- Conservation tips - DEWA
- Find easy ways to save electricity - Abu Dhabi Distribution Co.
Need for energy efficiency
There are many reasons behind the increasing interest in achieving energy efficiency and rationalisation. Some of them are:
- climate change and the desire to reduce emissions
- the tendency to shift towards a green economy capable of creating new job opportunities
- the desire to achieve global economic competitiveness and to provide more sustainable products and services
- the increased demand for conventional energy sources and their rising prices
- the negative effects of using fossil fuels to produce electricity.
Some of the factors that lead to the prevention of energy efficiency among consumers are:
- lack of motivation of owners and tenants to spend money on the property to develop its energy efficiency
- low consumption cost.
The above equation requires careful revision of the consumption tariff from time to time, or to apply the slab tariff system. The slab tariff encourages consumers to stay within the scope of the least costly slab rather than increasing consumption to avoid the more expensive slabs.
In order to promote efficient consumption of electricity and water, an additional fuel fee is added to consumers' monthly electricity and water bill. This fee depends on the rate of increase or decrease of the actual fuel cost supplied to DEWA's generation plants.
Efficiency standards and specifications require an increase in capital expenditure to cover the sums required to purchase applications or introduce improvements that help to reduce consumption.
Sourced from DEWA website.
Energy efficiency, conservation
At the federal level
The UAE promotes the use of efficient electrical equipment. It launched an efficiency-labelling scheme for window and split-unit air-conditioning systems, eliminating highly inefficient units from the market. Since July 2014, the UAE has also banned the import of inefficient incandescent light bulbs. The scheme is expected to cut energy use by 500MW per year.
National conservation campaign
Under the theme, ‘Save to sustain’ MOEI launched the National Energy Conservation campaign to raise the public awareness and knowledge of electricity and water conservation. The campaign targets students, families, employees, workers and tourists. It focuses on energy efficiency on buildings, transport, manufacturing and agriculture sectors. Read more about the National conservation campaign (PDF, 980 KB)
At the local level
In Dubai, H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, issued a resolution to implement green building specifications and standards (PDF) in new buildings. In 2014, the building code became mandatory for all new buildings in the emirate.
In Ras Al Khaimah, Barjeel, the Green Building Regulations (PDF, 500 KB) sets minimum sustainability standards for new buildings. Buildings permitted under Barjeel are expected to consume 30% less energy and water as compared to a typical building in Ras Al Khaimah. Barjeel is now mandatory for all new buildings starting from January 2020 following a one-year voluntary period.
In 2010, the UAE Cabinet approved the Green Building and Sustainable Building standards to be applied across the country. Application of these standards started at government buildings early 2011. The project is expected to save AED 10 billion by 2030 and reduce around 30 per cent of carbon emissions.
Estidama, which is the Arabic word for sustainability, is an initiative developed and promoted by Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC). Through Estidama, Abu Dhabi is progressing the principles and imperatives for sustainable development, while recognising the unique cultural, climatic and economic development needs of the region.
Estidama introduced the Pearl Building Rating System (PBRS) in 2010 to rate energy efficiency in buildings. The PBRS encourages:
- minimisation of waste
- reduction in consumption of water and energy
- use of local material.
It aims to improve supply chains for sustainable and recycled materials and products.
Wetex sustainability exhibition
Wetex is a global platform organised by DEWA in Dubai. It brings national and international companies closer to the latest technology and resource management solutions. The exhibition presents all latest developments in the water, energy, technology and environment sectors.
Demand side management policies
Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) set a governance framework to streamline existing energy practices across the DSCE entities to optimise synergy and energy efficiency. The council identified policies and regulations to steer demand side management in the emirate in three areas: power, water and transportation fuel.
Efforts in this regard include:
- implementing demand abatement and energy efficiency measures
- evaluating energy consumption
- developing intensity mapping for the emirate
- introducing abatement technologies for water
- power and transportation fuel.
Hosting IRENA's regional office
Abu Dhabi hosts International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) since 2009, which is the first inter-governmental organisation to have its headquarters in the Middle East.
IRENA is an inter-governmental organisation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future and serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy.
IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, including bio-energy, geothermal, hydropower, ocean, solar and wind energy, in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity. Abu Dhabi Government has set a target that by 2020 at least 7 per cent of power generation should be from renewable energy.
Useful links:
- Remap 2030: Renewable energy prospects for UAE (PDF, 6MB) - IRENA
Launching Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030
The Government of Dubai established Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) in 2009, which oversees all aspects of energy in the emirate and developed the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 to drive energy decarbonisation and ensure efficient use of energy.
In January 2015, Dubai announced a revision of its targets for the share of renewable energy in the total energy mix to 7 per cent by 2020 and 15 per cent by 2030.
Useful links:
- DIES 2030: Dubai Projected Fuel Mix Scenario - Supreme Council of Energy
- DSCE Road Map - Supreme Council of Energy
Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050
Read about Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050.
Ras Al Khaimah Energy Efficiency and Renewables Strategy 2040
Ras Al Khaimah Energy Efficiency and Renewables Strategy 2040 (EE&R Strategy) defines the long-term strategy of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy. Launched under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, the strategy targets 30% energy savings, 20% water savings, and 20% generation from renewable energy sources by 2040.
Deregulation of fuel prices
In 2015, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure announced deregulation of fuel prices across the UAE, adopting a new policy linked to global prices. Read more about deregulation of oil prices.
Updated on:
31 Oct 2025
