Green Charger initiative contributes to sustainable development, building a competitive green economy

DUBAI, 7th May 2016 (WAM) - The UAE has launched a group of initiatives and strategies to enhance sustainability locally and regionally, by creating mechanisms for sustainable development. The UAE has become a role model for this, by building an economy to facilitate a future that is less dependent on fossil fuels, and adopting a strategy to diversify energy resources. The UAE has made great and unprecedented achievements, which has made it one of the world’s most competitive countries. This prominent position is the culmination of the efforts of our leadership to create a stimulating business environment, characterised by a cutting-edge and robust infrastructure and world-class, efficient and reliable services. The UAE has made it a priority to diversify its energy mix, based on the long-term Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to establish the UAE as one of the global leaders in this area, and a global hub for exporting and re-exporting green products and technologies, while maintaining a sustainable environment that supports economic growth in the long term. The initiative includes a range of programmes and policies in energy, agriculture, investment, and sustainable transport, in addition to new environmental and construction policies to raise standards of living in the UAE. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum emphasises that the UAE seeks to become a global hub and a successful model of the new green economy, to enhance the country’s competitiveness, sustainable development, and preserve its environment for future generations, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority supports all efforts to transform Dubai into a green economy, and all efforts in preparation for the World Expo 2020, being held under the 3 themes of Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability, by enhancing infrastructure and services, according to the highest international standards, while meeting the needs of residences and businesses. DEWA will increase its use of electric cars in the near future to support the transition towards green transportation and the move towards green solutions in Dubai. Furthermore, DEWA always keeps abreast of the latest updates in this field and conducts research and development to make Dubai a leader in electric vehicles. DEWA aims to implement the Dubai Green Transport initiative and encourage the use of sustainable transportation with hybrid and electric vehicles, which will cut total carbon emissions in Dubai by up to 19%. Through the Green Charger initiative, DEWA aims to install and manage the required infrastructure to supply cars with electric power, to decrease air pollution and preserve the environment. The Green Charger initiative supports the Smart Dubai initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to make Dubai the smartest city in the world. DEWA also launched 2 other promising initiatives, which are the Shams Dubai initiative, to connect solar energy, and Smart Applications through smart meters and grids. These initiatives will effectively contribute towards achieving the UAE Vision 2021 and the Dubai Plan 2021, which aims to make Dubai a smart, integrated and connected city, sustainable with its resources and where environmental components are clean, healthy and sustainable. DEWA’s smart initiatives help to create a smarter and better future for all residents of Dubai. The Green Charger supports the strategy to reduce carbon emissions in Dubai by 16% by 2020. "Our objective in the transition to become the smartest city in the world is to achieve the happiness of society and provide instant and seamless smart services, anytime, anywhere, supporting total sustainable transformation and the sustainability of energy resources. Dubai has all the elements to reach top positions globally and has become a leading global hub for competiveness, green economy and sustainability. The Green Charger initiative will substantially contribute to introducing electric vehicles to Dubai, boosting the use of energy resources and reducing the Emirate’s carbon footprint. DEWA is making steady progress towards achieving sustainability as envisioned by the wise leadership of Dubai and the UAE," said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA. DEWA has already completed its first phase with the opening of the first charging station in February 2015, building 12 Green Charger stations that can charge 24 cars at once, at DEWA offices. Four charging stations have been installed at the Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubai Design District (D3). Electric cars is based on the use of electricity as an alternative to petrol, so this will achieve an important goal: to preserve the environment by using less energy and water. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395295138915.html