At the federal level
In July 2014, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure established a new department for energy conservation and energy efficiency. One of the goals of this department is to establish a database of energy consumption by different sectors across the UAE, which allows comparisons between performance of establishments within a sector.
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.
Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWGA) created a unit called Conservation Department with a target to conserve electricity, water and gas.
In Ajman, Green Building committee in Ajman Municipality and Planning Department was formed to support energy conservation efforts.
In Ras Al Khaimah, Barjeel, the Green Building Regulations of the emirate issued by Ras Al Khaimah Municipality 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.
Emirates Energy Star (EES) is a joint venture between Etisalat and Pacific Controls to reduce the GHG emissions of the UAE and the fuel bills of its companies, by retrofitting existing buildings with energy saving controls systems and achieving savings of 10-35 per cent.
The programme is working successfully with all types of legacy systems, ranging from buildings with or without building management system (BMS), facilities with chilled water systems and those with package units. It is tailored to suit individual building owner's financial requirements.
EES' rating system
Emirates Energy Star assigns stars on the basis of percentage of energy saving. Refer to the chart below for stars:
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:
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:
Sharjah, the City of Conservation
SEWGA started efforts towards creating one of the best model cities of power conservation with an ambitious strategy and creative initiatives for energy conservation. In 2015, Sharjah had been declared as the City of Conservation to achieve sustainable development in the emirate. The initiative focuses on the implementation of energy efficiency, with a target of 30 per cent reduction in the consumption of power and water in the emirate of Sharjah.
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:
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:
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.
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