RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE, 6 July 2020: Ras Al Khaimah Municipality reported significant progress in its sustained energy-efficiency drive. The government body made the announcement through a Press communiqué, on the occasion of the release of its second annual report on the implementation of the emirate’s Energy Efficiency and Renewables Strategy 2040. The report, the government body said, is available on its newly launched Reem (Energy Efficiency and Renewables Office) website.

The report describes progress of the Strategy, including achievements, new initiatives and expected developments in the coming years, the government body said. It highlights concrete savings of 7 GWh of electricity, 109 MIG of water and 423 GWh thermal of direct fuel savings achieved in 2019, the government body said. Apart from energy and water savings, the government body spoke of several key milestones achieved across all its programmes:

• Launch and completion of the voluntary phase of Barjeel, the Green Building Regulations of Ras Al Khaimah, and completion of preparations for its mandatory implementation, including IT enhancements, awareness, training and certification
• Completion of the first retrofit project in government buildings, for four buildings of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, with 31% guaranteed energy and water savings
• Contracting of two retrofit projects, for 24 buildings of RAKEZ and RAK Academy, and development of a pipeline of retrofit opportunities for the next two years of targets
• Set up of an ISO 50001-compliant energy management system at the Municipality to work as a pilot for extension to other government and private organisations
• Completion of the energy-efficiency retrofit of 1,500 street lights in the Jazeera Al Hamra Free Zone by RAKEZ
• Contracting for initial solar PV rooftop projects, including the first government solar PV project for a 230kWp carport at Ras Al Khaimah Municipality
• Installation of 12 public electric vehicle-charging stations in Ras Al Khaimah

Apart from the above achievements, the government body spoke of several preparatory activities that have been initiated to support further development of the programmes and activation of key enablers for the long-term success of the Strategy. The most notable of the activities, it said, are:

• Enhancing policy and regulation, including the ongoing development of new public landscaping standards, green procurement guidelines, electric vehicle-charging station standards and sustainable community guidelines. An extensive stakeholder consultation process has been set up to ensure each of the regulations remains in line with international benchmarks and is relevant to market conditions in Ras Al Khaimah.

• Raising awareness around energy and water conservation, including launch of an energy-efficiency competition for schoolchildren across Ras Al Khaimah, preparation of a social media campaign targeting residents, and organisation of multiple industry events. Initial plans are being made for the first RAK Energy Summit, which will bring regional and international experts and businesses in the fields of energy efficiency and renewables to Ras Al Khaimah.

• Building capacity in the energy efficiency and renewables sector, including the launch of a supply market development strategy to attract leading businesses and entrepreneurs to Ras Al Khaimah – through planned outreach initiatives, start-up and SME competitions – and the activation of training programmes, among which is a Barjeel online training platform for engineers and consultants.

His Excellency Munther Mohammed bin Shekar, Director General, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, said: “The current market situation elevates the importance of energy efficiency, for its contribution to energy competitiveness and resilience and also for economic stimulus. We see increased value in efficient buildings, efficient public service networks, renewable energy, better consumption practices and so on. Our commitment to the goals of the Strategy remains strong and unchanged.”

Click here to access the copy of the report.