Electricity use in GCC up 50% in summer

GCC electricity consumption during the summer rises by 50 per cent compared to the rest of the year due to the high use of air-conditioners, a regional expert in these systems has said. In contrast, electricity consumption in the Levant region decreases by 60 per cent in summer because of less use of heating systems, according to Eng Mohammed Swairjo, general manager of Al Reyadah. “The GCC region is one of the biggest users of AC systems in the world, using air-conditioning for over nine months every year for cooling purposes. In the Levant region, AC systems are used for heating during winter and autumn seasons,” he said. Electricity consumption peaks are seen in July and August in the GCC, with all member countries registering the highest use of electricity and water during the day time. Swairjo recommends that end-users should do regular maintenance of their AC systems and clean its filters every two weeks, as well as sealing all gaps around AC units and set the temperature to 24° Celsius. Gulf governments are launching campaigns to raise awareness about the rationalisation of electricity and water in an effort to save natural resources and maintain sustainable environment. “Setting the AC to 24° helps save energy and prolong the life of the AC unit. There are many ways to achieve this but it needs serious commitment from individuals,” said Swairjo.