The Etihad Energy Services Company, Etihad ESCO, a company launched by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA, has awarded the tender for development, engineering, procurement, construction, operational services, maintenance, and installation of solar photovoltaic systems, at 640 villas for nationals in Hatta.
The decision supports the Hatta Comprehensive Development Plan, launched by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It is part of the Shams Dubai initiative, which encourages building owners to install solar panels on their rooftops to generate electricity and link it to DEWA’s network.
The tender has been awarded to three companies, Alsa Solar, Al Mustajed General Contracting, and the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence.
The company issued a Request for Proposal, RFP, in January, and received proposals from 26 specialised companies, 11 of which were shortlisted. The final three were chosen from five companies that were selected to compete against each other. The photovoltaic installation project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2018.
"In adherence to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the Hatta Comprehensive Development Plan, we are working to meet all social, economical, environmental and developmental needs. We aim to transform Dubai into a global hub for clean energy and green economy, and ensure energy security and efficient energy usage" said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA.
"We are working to achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, to provide 7 percent of Dubai's total power output from clean energy by 2020, 25 percent by 2030 and 75 percent by 2050. We are also working on the Dubai Side Management Strategy 2030 to reduce electricity and water demand by 30 percent by 2030. This will be achieved through nine programmes – green building specifications, building rehabilitation, central cooling, re-use of wastewater, high-efficiency irrigation systems, energy and equipment efficiency, increasing the efficiency of street-lighting systems, demand response and Shams Dubai.
"DEWA supports the Shams Dubai initiative to install photovoltaic panels to produce electricity from solar power. We are currently retrofitting over 30,000 buildings in the emirate in the first phase of the project, to ensure energy efficiency and manage energy demand. The project is worth a total current investment of AED30 billion. We expect to achieve financial savings of AED82 billion, with expected savings of AED52 billion," he added.
DEWA is establishing a hydroelectric power plant in the mountains near Hatta Dam, in addition to other development projects that will be completed within 5 years. The project has a total capacity of 250 megawatts. DEWA’s Smart Grid initiative will oversee the installation of smart meters at buildings in Hatta, according to the highest international standards.
DEWA will also establish the infrastructure for electric vehicle charging stations through the Green Charger initiative, Al Tayer said.
"Etihad ESCO aims to enhance the energy services sector by increasing capacities and encouraging further co-operation between the public and private sectors while providing new opportunities for investment, joint ventures, and global partnerships," said Ali Al Jassim, CEO of Etihad ESCO.
 
Source: WAM