DUBAI, UAE, 1 July 2019: Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), has completed Phase 1 and 2 of the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) Retrofit Project, which houses almost 40,000 occupants, the body said through a Press communiqué.

Through guaranteeing overall energy savings by 31%, in comparison to the initially agreed baseline consumption, the venture exceeded target goals by achieving 32.6% energy savings upon completion of one year of the Measurement and Verification period, the communiqué revealed. The environment has benefited tremendously since, with 17,000 tonnes of reduction in annual CO₂ emissions, which is the equivalent to removing 3,600 cars from roads for a year, the communiqué said.

With 100% project-financing by Etihad ESCO, the operation period duration spans six years after its construction period, the communiqué said. The 18-month construction saw the replacement of 5,290 window air conditioners with new high-energy-efficient split air conditioners and the retrofit of 6,308 existing window air conditioners, the communiqué said. Furthermore, the project included the replacement of 85,307 lights, and the installation of 24,321 water aerators and 9,345 new water-efficient shower heads, the communiqué said. A total of 157 JAFZA staff accommodation buildings, including its Old West, New West, South and East accommodation zones, were retrofitted under the project, the communiqué said.

With the project proving to be sustainably viable, Etihad ESCO and JAFZA have entered into an agreement for Phase 3 Retrofit Project at JAFZA, which aims to enhance energy efficiency, focusing specifically on office buildings, the communiqué said. Under Phase 3, the aim is to implement major Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) by targeting substantial amounts of energy consumed by HVAC systems, the communiqué said. This will be achieved by replacing 15 sets of old chillers with top-of-the-line, highly efficient chillers and HVAC controls, by replacing 26,129 conventional lights with LED lights and by installing 1,270 energy-efficient water-saving devices, the communiqué said. Subsequently,  a Central Command Centre will monitor and control the installed ECMs assisted through smart metering, to ensure retrofit systems deliver the intended savings throughout their lifetime, the communiqué said.

Ali Al Jassim

Ali Al Jassim, CEO, Etihad ESCO, said: “There is no doubt that this is a significant milestone for Etihad ESCO. In 2015, Phase 1 and 2 Project, billed at AED 84 million, had most definitely been the Middle East’s most abundant energy-retrofit scheme to date. Besides reducing JAFZA’s carbon footprint, the successful implementation of the project has ensured sustainability and operational efficiency. We are glad to have delivered on the promised energy savings through this project and are currently working with JAFZA on Phase 3, to further raise their energy-efficiency quotient, which is a crucial constituent of energy reduction in Dubai.”

Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, said: “It has been a great pleasure working closely with Etihad ESCO on this project, as we are both companies who value our community and seek to uphold positive impact. As a key engine of economic growth and diversification in Dubai, JAFZA has always worked towards serving the government to meet its sustainability targets, outlined in the Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030 and Dubai Clean Energy Strategy. Working closely with Etihad ESCO on this retrofitting project is one of many similar initiatives we have started over the years to promote a cleaner and better Dubai. We will continue to develop innovative solutions and set the example in the UAE private sector on how businesses can pursue success in a sustainable and responsible manner.”