DEWA's Shams Dubai initiative continues renewable energy use projects

DUBAI 7th March 2016 (WAM) -- Dubai is a pioneer in the development of renewable energy and is at the forefront of alternative energy exploring and seeking new methods of enhancing efficiency rationalising the consumption of natural resources and finding alternative solutions for conventional energy to achieve sustainable development in the emirate.

Dubai encourages its citizens and residents to get involved and contribute towards generating clean energy to enhance Dubai's position regionally and internationally transforming the emirate into a role model for the preservation of natural resources by integrating ground-breaking strategies and initiatives. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority DEWA encourages customers to produce clean energy following Resolution Number 46 of 2014 issued by the Dubai Executive Council to regulate electricity produced from photovoltaic panels to the power distribution system in Dubai. The resolution formed a comprehensive legislative framework to connect electricity produced from solar power to the distribution system. The resolution supports the Smart Dubai initiative launched by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world.

This will engage the community in the production of electricity from solar energy diversify energy sources by increasing renewable energy targets preserve the environment and lower the country's carbon footprint while also encouraging the development of a green economy to achieve sustainable development. Shams Dubai allows customers to install photovoltaic panels on their rooftops to generate electricity form solar power. The electricity is used onsite and the surplus is exported to DEWA's network.

DEWA has a well-defined strategy and an ambitious vision to support the development and establishment of sustainable energy projects in Dubai. DEWA has increased the targets for renewable energy to 7% of Dubai's total power output by 2020 and 15% by 2030 to support the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to make Dubai a global centre of clean energy and green economy. It aims to increase Dubai's total power output from clean energy sources to 75% by 2050. The initiative also supports the long-term National Green Economy for Sustainable Development Initiative launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to build a green economy in the UAE in addition to the UAE Vision 2021 to make the UAE among the best countries in the world by 2021.

According to Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer MD and CEO of DEWA the company will invest AED65 billion in Dubai's energy and water sector in the run up to 2020 to meet increasing demand. DEWA has also allocated over AED2.6 billion to support electricity water and renewable energy infrastructure projects according to the highest international standards.

The solar energy connected to DEWA's grid is derived from two sources. The first is DEWA's solar power plants at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park one of the largest single-site renewable energy projects in the world the park is managed by DEWA in cooperation with the private sector. The solar park's capacity will be 5000 MW by 2030 and will help reduce 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions by 2030 supporting the green initiatives and programmes carried out by the government to reduce carbon emissions. The second is electricity produced from small and medium solar-energy systems. This is done by installing photovoltaic panels on rooftops of buildings and connecting them to DEWA's grid as part of its Shams Dubai initiative launched by DEWA.

"We support the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to diversify Dubai's energy mix to include 25% from solar energy 7% from clean coal and 7% from nuclear power and 61% from natural gas by 2030. The mix will gradually increase the employment of clean energy sources to 75% by 2050" said Al Tayer.

DEWA has outlined easy steps to install photovoltaic systems in buildings to generate solar power as part of the Shams Dubai initiative. The installation process starts with the customer contacting one of the consultants or contractors accredited by DEWA to study the possibility of installing the solar power system and suggest the best solution. The consultant or contractor then obtains the necessary approvals from DEWA. After obtaining the necessary approvals the consultant or contractor undertakes on-site work. After completing installation they submit a notification to DEWA to conduct the technical inspection of the site and install the meter to complete the connection process.

DEWA enrols consultants and contractors to ensure solar power is properly installed. DEWA enrolled 33 consultants and contractors so far. The company must have a valid trade licence issued by the Department of Economic Development with at least one graduate electrical engineer under their sponsorship with at least one year's experience in supervising electrical works and all designs must comply with DEWA's regulations for electrical installations. The company's employees should also pass the photovoltaic systems expert programme and submit applications via DEWA's website. Companies must also have employees who are certified by DEWA as solar photovoltaic experts. Companies can register and submit applications through DEWA's website.

DEWA continues to register contractors and consultants and provides specialised training courses to engineers and technicians who are employed by photovoltaic panel companies. They learn technical requirements safety requirements and DEWA's guidelines for installing photovoltaic panels on rooftops to generate electricity and connect it with DEWA's grid.

To ensure that the Shams Dubai initiative is a success DEWA is working with its partners organisations to install the photovoltaic panels. The initiative is part of a wider environmental approach which falls in line with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050. DEWA announced the first project under the Shams Dubai initiative in collaboration with Dubai Airports to supply Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International Airport with solar energy. The move increases the use of alternative energy sources and reduces the airport's carbon footprint in addition to exporting excess energy back into the national power grid. This reflects the commitment of DEWA and Dubai Airport to make better use of alternative energy and reduce the emirate's reliance on fossil fuels. Using 102 solar panels the project explored the benefits of solar energy to generate electricity. The electricity generated from the panels will facilitate DEWA's Employee Gate facility. The panels were installed on the rooftop of the facility with a capacity of 30 kilowatts (kW).

In collaboration with Emirates Airline DEWA has successfully installed solar photovoltaic panels at the Emirates Engine Maintenance Centre in Dubai. The new project in Warsan will generate 1 megawatt (MW) saving around 1200 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. The project will increase the use of alternative energy and reduce carbon emissions. The newly-installed system includes 2990 photovoltaic panels and will use solar power to generate electricity and meet the needs of the centre.

The panels were installed on the rooftop of the Emirates Engine Maintenance Centre's car park. Based on its capacity of 1MW the panels are expected to generate in excess of 1884 MW of electricity every year.

Al Tayer emphasises the continuity of work based on best international standards in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid that a smart city is a city that makes people happy makes their lives easier and improves living standards. It is efficient in using its resources and provides seamless and integrated services.

"At DEWA we work to achieve this vision which supports the Dubai Plan 2021 to make Dubai the preferred place to live work and visit. 2016 will witness the continuation of our efforts to enhance cooperation with other government organisations strategic partners and stakeholders to further develop the Shams Dubai initiative and achieve the expectations of citizens and residents providing a brighter and happier future for Dubai" concluded Al Tayer.