No plans to privatise utilities in Dubai

The Dubai government has no intention to privatise the electricity and water sector, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and President of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), told the media on Tuesday. “If we allow privatisation for this sector the prices of electricity and water would be more expensive,” Shaikh Hamdan said. He added that the government is not looking to involve private sector in Dewa’s projects so far. Shaikh Hamdan spoke at the opening ceremony of the largest public green building in the world at the Al Quoz area in Dubai, in the presence of Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Energy in Dubai, and top government officials and experts. This sustainable building is platinum LEED certified green building, achieving 98 out of 110 LEED points on the US Green Building Council’s LEED NC rating System Scale. “Dubai government has a clear target to support the initiative of green economy for sustainable development.” Saeed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dewa, said that finding such energy-efficient renewable solutions will encourage reduction in energy consumption, which in turn will protect the environment and achieve sustainable development for generations to come. The new project will achieve an energy performance efficiency level of over 66 per cent by providing additional insulation in its walls and roof. Special glass has been installed to reduce heat transfer into the building, while highly-efficient water-cooled chillers cut down energy consumption. The building uses low-powered LED lights and automatic lighting control systems with occupancy sensors. In addition, renewable energy is available through an on-site 660 kW solar power plant, thereby reducing the building’s carbon footprint even further.