‘Retrofit sector growing in the Middle East’

Michael Aghabi, Sustainability Associate, KEO International Consultants

Dubai, UAE, 18 October 2018: Retrofit projects are in their infancy, however, this is a sector that is certainly growing in the Middle East, said Michael Aghabi, Sustainability Associate, KEO International Consultants. Elaborating on the need for measurement and verification in retrofit projects, he said, “Measurement and verification is an essential service, especially when we speak of retrofit projects in existing buildings.”

Aghabi said there is a shortage of trained professionals who can carry out measurement and verification, the industry needs more. Elaborating, he said, “ESCOs today hire cheap talent,” which then leads to further problems. Measurement and verification is a job, which not only requires skill but also experience. He concluded, “The process of measurement and verification of retrofit projects involves statistics and an in-depth evaluation of how a building is performing and, for this to happen, there must be more professionals being trained and skilled for the job.”