Award a first for multiple buildings in the Middle East

LG Electronics revealed in an announcement that it has been awarded the LEED Gold Certification from the US Green Building Council and Green Building Certification Institution (GBCI) for the LG Building facilities in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, making it the first company in the Middle East to receive such an award for multiple buildings, like warehouses and offices. LG’s achievement has also been acknowledged with a special appreciation certificate from EHS, the regulatory arm of Trakhees – Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation, Government of Dubai, the announcement added.

The environmental benefits achieved by the LG Building reportedly include, 21.5% energy savings, 31.8% potable water savings and 91.7% diversion of construction waste from landfills. According to LG, the building integrates energy conservation measures through its high-performance building envelope insulation, and efficient AC units, fans, motors, PV solar panels and LED lighting. Other features include, building finishes with low VOC paints, coatings, adhesives and sealants, its own LED lighting system to reduce its daily power consumption and occupancy sensors in all meeting rooms and corridors with automated light switches.

The announcement stated that the company has also implemented its flagship product, the Multi-V Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) AC System, and added that the high COP figures of 4.3 and Zero ODP refrigerant R-410A, made it easy for LG to earn major points in the Energy and Atmosphere category. The Multi-V VRF improved energy efficiency by allowing occupants to air condition or heat only the zones in use, it claimed and added that the building also includes a 30 kW on-grid solar photovoltaic system.

Pointing out that the project is a local initiative that fits into LG’s global environment plan to become one of the world leaders in reducing the impact of climate change, LG said that it aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 14 tonnes by the end of 2011 – an increase from the 12.9 million tonnes reduced in 2010.

In the context of the LG Building winning the award, Dharmesh Sawant, Sr Manager, Commercial AC, at LG Electronics commented: “LG is listed in Estidama as a compliant Villa product, and is helping many stakeholders meet the Estidama credits for their projects with the help of Multi-V. We have already supplied around 25,000 TR of Multi-V units in the GCC region.”

HS Paik, President, LG Electronics Gulf FZE, added: “Beyond producing energy-efficient products, LG is looking to play a leading role in reducing its carbon footprint and act as a corporate model. We believe responsible companies must contribute to sustainable growth by minimising the environmental impact caused by their business activities, and the LEED Gold Certification is an acknowledgement of our efforts.”

Dr Ju Won Kim, General Manager of the AC Academy, highlighting LG’s aspiration towards corporate social responsibility of environmental sustainability, said: “Being a strategic partner of the UN’s Champions of the Earth Awards since 2009, we have a heartfelt vision of becoming a corporate leader in environmental issues and inspiring the next generation. We want to inspire the green practice locally by implementing sustainable ideas in our own building.”