DUBAI: Residents of Dubai have managed to save almost Dh 1 billion in water and electricity costs over the past eight years, according to statis tics released by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa).
Dewa said Dubai homes reduce electricity use by 19 per cent and water use by a whopping 28 per cent.
Since water is desalinated and consumption of both electricity and water has risen manifold due to rapid expansion of Dubai and its population, Dewa has been encouraging customers to rationalise their electricity and water use by launching various programmes, awareness campaigns, awards and initiatives throughout the year.
944,000 Trees Saved
As a result, between 2009 and 2016, Dewa’s customers saved over 1.5 TW/h of electricity and 6.2 billion gallons of water, worth over Dh967 million. The generated savings resulted in offsetting around 831,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, which equates to planting 944,000 trees.
Dewa’s programmes and initiatives managed to reduce electricity use.
- Residential sector reduced electricity use by 19% and water by 28%
- Commercial sector reduced electricity use by 10% and water by 30%
- Industrial sector reduced electricity use by 15% and water by 21%.
- Educational institutions succeeded in reducing electricity use by 9% and water by 24%.
- Government and semi-governmental organisations reduced electricity use by 12% and water by 21%.
You Can Help
The incurred savings have proven that all members of society can contribute to supporting national and international efforts to limit climate change and global warming by adopting positive practices at home and in the workplace, to rationalise the consumption of natural resources, and reduce carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions.
“Despite the big savings achieved in electricity and water, the ultimate goal is to consolidate a culture of energy conservation among all members of society, and promote resource conservation to become a social culture and daily practice by involving customers in reducing energy and water use and contributing to protecting our precious natural resources, to support the sustainable development of Dubai and the UAE,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dewa.
Earth Hour
Dewa organises Earth Hour annually. Between 2008 and 2016, Earth Hour resulted in savings of 1.82 GW/h, reducing over 1,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Dubai was the first Arab city to take part in Earth Hour, one of the world’s largest environmental initiatives to raise awareness on the risks of global warming and climate change. This is done by switching off unnecessary lights and appliances for one hour on the last Saturday of March every year.
Best Consumer Award
The Best Consumer Award encourages and urges customers to use energy sensibly, and raises awareness about adopting environmentally-friendly practices. Between 2009 and 2016, the Best Consumer Award resulted in saving of 58 GW/h of electricity and over 365 million gallons of water, offsetting 33,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. The savings amount to over Dh34 million. About 36,000 customers took part in the award, with 94 winners over the last 8 years.
Conservation Award
Dewa launched the Conservation Award under the theme, ‘Together for a Sustainable Future,’ to recognise best practices implemented by educational institutions in Dubai to reduce the use of electricity and water, and limit waste. The Conservation Award achieved savings of over 133 GW/h of electricity, 1 billion gallons of water, and a reduction of over 84,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, generating savings of over Dh97 million.
The Neighbourhood Campaign
The idea of the Neighbourhood Campaign came as a quality-focused approach to educate society about environmental awareness, highlighting key reasons for waste and the role of individuals in conserving natural resources. By the end of 2016, the Conservation Team visited nearly 7,000 houses in Dubai. The efforts from 2010 to 2016 has resulted in saving over 6 GW/h of electricity and about 75 million gallons of water, a reduction of 2,885 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to savings of over Dh5.5 million.
Ideal Home initiative
In 2016, DEWA launched the Ideal Home initiative in cooperation with 7 government organisations. A total of 50 houses took part in the Ideal Home and contributed to saving over 100 GW/h of electricity, and 1.4 million gallons of water, resulting in reducing 76 tonnes of CO2 emissions, which equates to Dh97,000 in one year.
“Each one of us can make a difference by rationally using electricity and water, and making this behaviour a daily practice,” said Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice President of Marketing & Corporate Communications at Dewa.
– By Angel Chan