DEWA Honoured At Unilever Sustainable Living Plan Awards 2014

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has been honoured for its efforts in achieving sustainability in the region at the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan Awards 2014, launched by the world’s leading consumer goods organisation. HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, received the award on behalf of DEWA at the JW Marriott Marquis-Dubai, in the presence of government officials.

“DEWA is committed to achieve the UAE Vision 2021, which aims to enhance the nation’s global position to make it one of the best nations in the world. DEWA will continue to uphold the long-term Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,” said Al Tayer.

“We are committed to promoting sustainability by providing electricity and water services to the highest standards of reliability and sustainability, while contributing to the social and economic development in the Emirate of Dubai, and protecting the environment. DEWA continues to support initiatives that achieve sustainable development. These efforts complement the objectives of the Dubai integrated Energy Strategy 2030, to reduce energy and water consumption by 30% in 2030, and support sustainable sources of energy,” added Al Tayer.

“On the supply side, DEWA supports the concept of efficiency, and succeeded in increasing the efficiency of existing production plants by 26%. It also succeeded in reducing network line losses to 3.46% in 2013, compared to 7.03% in 1998. This is the lowest in the world. In the water sector, DEWA decreased water losses to 10.4% in 2013, compared with 42% in 1988. These accomplishments have been achieved by the use and application of the highest international standards and best practices in this area,” said Al Tayer.

“DEWA is also focusing its energies on the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which has a planned capacity of 1,000 MW, and will be the largest solar power park in the region, and possibly the world, upon completion. The first project was run with a capacity of 13MW in October 2013, and the second project capacity will be 100MW by 2017. DEWA underscores the importance of managing demand for electricity and water as one of the basic pillars in sustainable development, within its strategy, initiatives, and programmes. As part of its efforts, DEWA also put together the road map for the implementation of the smart grid project to promote an efficient infrastructure and very-reliable works to support demand management and renewable sources of energy. This project will contribute significantly to strengthening Dubai’s goal to be a smart city over the next few years. DEWA also collaborated with Dubai Municipality on the design and development of regulations and systems for green buildings in the Emirate,” commented Al Tayer.

“Part of the Emirate’s tireless efforts in the dissemination of its experience in green buildings, DEWA’s subsidiary, the Etihad Energy Service Company (Etihad ESCO) is currently undertaking work to rehabilitate 30,000 buildings by 2030, to make them more sustainable. With a firm belief that it can transform ideas into reality, DEWA has built the first Sustainable Building in the UAE, which is the largest government building in the world with a Platinum rating for green buildings from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). This building reduces energy consumption by 66% and water use by 48%, and has rooftop solar power panels producing 660kW. The Sustainable Building enables DEWA to preserve natural resources, reduce its carbon footprint, and achieve environmental conservation. It will realise the advantages of focusing on sustainability in Dubai in the short- to medium-term, as well for generations to come,” concluded Al Tayer.

Initiated in 2012, the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan aims to improve the health and hygiene of people, and reduce environmental impact while simultaneously educating thousands of consumers on water conservation, and developing projects that improve the livelihoods of thousands of people across MENA.

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: May 15, 2014

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