Ali Al-Jassim,

Dubai, UAE, 8 April 2018: The positive impact that retrofitting is having on reducing Dubai’s energy consumption will be the central focus at the 4th Annual RetrofitTech Dubai Summit & Awards, from April 10 to 11 at Roda Al Bustan Hotel, Dubai, the organisers said through a Press communiqué. The event will showcase some of the latest innovations and retrofit technologies being introduced to the market and the sustainability benefits being gained from the billions of dollars of investment that have been made in the Emirate, the communiqué added.

The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy has set the goal of reducing energy demand by 30% by 2030. To achieve the goal, retrofitting and refurbishing existing buildings has been identified as a core strategy to reduce overall energy demand.

Dubai’s Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO), which specialises in retrofitting buildings in Dubai, announced last year that it is planning to implement up to USD 43.56 million worth of projects this year, diversifying beyond building retrofits into industrial retrofits and solar power projects. Etihad ESCO in May 2017 awarded the tender for the development and installation of solar photovoltaic systems at 640 villas for UAE nationals in Hatta, the communiqué said. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is currently retrofitting more than 30,000 buildings in the emirate to ensure energy efficiency and manage energy demand, the communiqué added. The project is worth a total current investment of USD 8.17 billion and expected to achieve financial savings of USD 22.33 billion, the communiqué further added.

“We believe this event will provide an ideal platform to know more about the development and growth plans of the UAE’s Retrofit sector,“ said Ali Al-Jassim, CEO of Etihad ESCO. “Dubai’s outstanding effort in retrofitting buildings in the past years has helped generate energy and water savings across the emirate. We are looking forward to continuing and accelerating the progress of this to help us achieve our target of retrofitting 30,000 buildings by 2030. We have the pleasure of hosting the 4th Annual RetrofitTech Summit & Awards, where we will announce all of our planned projects for 2018-19 and look at the different types and scope of retrofits we will be embarking on. Our partners in the public and private sectors will join us for the event to get the chance to examine the progress made so far and look at the potential to save electricity and water through smart and innovative retrofits.”

Developers, building owners, and operators are looking at retrofitting buildings in the residential sector. Etihad ESCO and Wasl Asset Management Group have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to conduct a feasibility study that will assess the current energy efficiency of Wasl Group’s buildings and facilities, which include a portfolio of 450 buildings.

Retrofitting hotels may also become a requirement within Dubai. The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is expected to finalise a framework and guidelines to ensure hotels meet their energy efficiency KPIs, the communiqué said. With 700 hotels currently operational in Dubai, the sector has become more lucrative than ever, the communiqué added.

The healthcare and education sectors are also undergoing retrofitting. Hospitals, including Sharjah Teaching Hospital and Issat Omran, and universities like AUD and Zayed University have already started retrofitting in order to improve their energy efficiency programmes, the communiqué said.

Hosted and strategically endorsed by Etihad ESCO and TAQATI, the communiqué said, the 4^th Annual RetrofitTech Dubai Summit & Awards will gather more than 250 attendees and 45 industry experts to discuss, debate and find innovative ways to deliver on the UAE’s retrofit programme for buildings. According to the communiqué, solution providers, like Sylvania, Honeywell, Quantum Eurostar, Siemens, Daikin, Weber, Kimmco Isover, Talisen International, Belimo, Armstrong, Dow, ABB, Neon Energy, Opple Lighting, City Care Energy Solutions, Taqeef, Optima, NVC Lighting, Madico, CU Phosco, Ledvance, Smart Automation Energy, Auto Millennium Group, Farnek Services, Al Yousuf Engineering, Emirates Insolaire, Kromatix, Edge Technology, LPA Lighting and Energy Solutions and Luceco will be showcasing their retrofitting products and solutions to more than 250 professionals in the market.

The event, the communiqué said, will include a dedicated awards ceremony to recognise and celebrate excellence and achievements in the field.