The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has introduced a new smart initiative Shams Dubai.
The program is designed to employ a controlled and standardized solar energy production method for buildings along with their subsequent grid connection.
As part of project, tenants and building owners will be encouraged to install photovoltaic solar panels on their rooftops to generate electricity, which will be used onsite and the surplus will be exported to Dewa’s grid.
Customers can use the electricity they generate and an offset between exported and imported electricity units is conducted and the customer account is settled based on this offset.
For this purpose, Shams Dubai will offer incentives for tenants and building owners, which will help to increase the share of electricity production and diversity of the energy mix.
Last week, the first project under the first smart initiative was launched in collaboration with Dubai Airports of supplying Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali with solar energy.
DEWA has installed photovoltaic panels to produce 30 kW of electricity at the airport.
DEWA will soon begin work on its second initiative of installing smart meters and networks that contribute to fast-service connection.
The third initiative aims to establish the infrastructure to build 100 electric vehicle charging stations, named Green Charger, this year.
The move supports the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world in three years.
This target will be achieved through 100 initiatives and 1,000 smart services that enhance the quality of life in the Emirate and achieve its sustainable development.
This smart initiative supports the Dubai Plan 2021 and the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, to develop sustainable energy projects in Dubai, by increasing the targets for renewable energy in the Emirate’s energy mix to 7 percent by 2020 and 15 percent by 2030.
Sabeena Wahid
editor@greentechlead.com