DEWA announces Shams Dubai to regulate generation of solar energy in buildings and connection to its grid

DUBAI, 16th March, 2015 (WAM) -- Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA has announced the start of DEWA’s first smart initiative, Shams Dubai, to regulate the generation of solar energy in buildings and their connection to DEWA’s grid. The move supports the Smart Dubai initiative and the vision of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world in three years through 100 initiatives and 1,000 smart services that enhance the quality of life in the emirate and achieve its sustainable development. The press conference was attended by Ahmed bin Byat, Member of the Higher Committee to Transform Dubai into a Smart City, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Smart Dubai Initiative, Dr. Aisha bin Bishr, Assistant Director-General of the Executive Office, Member of the Smart Dubai Executive Committee and Team Leader of the Smart City Taskforce, Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary-General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Abdul Aziz Abdulla Al Midfa, Chairman of the Middle East Solar Industry Association, senior officials from the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, DEWA’s Executive Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, corporate representatives and members of the press. Shams Dubai encourages tenants and building owners to install photovoltaic solar panels to generate electricity. DEWA will connect the system to its network. The electricity will be used onsite and the surplus is exported to DEWA’s grid. This encourages the use of renewable energy, increases its share in electricity production and diversifies the energy mix. "To support the Smart Dubai initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, to make Dubai the smartest city on earth, and make life easier through the efficient, integrated, seamless and sustainable use of resources, we today have begun the implementation phase of the first smart initiative, Shams Dubai. This is one of the three initiatives we launched last year to significantly improve the services provided to partners and customers, and make Dubai the smartest city in the world during the next three years. This will enable the city’s facilities and services to be managed using smart and connected systems that enhance living standards for all of Dubai’s residents and visitors," said Al Tayer. "Shams Dubai supports the Green Economy for Sustainable Development economic initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and implements Council Resolution Number 46 of 2014, issued by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, to enable customers to install photovoltaic panels to generate electricity from solar power in buildings, and connect them to DEWA’s grid. "This smart initiative also supports Dubai Plan 2021 and the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, to develop sustainable energy projects in Dubai by increasing the targets for renewable energy in the emirate’s energy mix to 7 percent by 2020 and 15 percent by 2030. "DEWA supports the vision of our wise leadership, which outlines the roadmap for our work and initiatives to enhance the competitiveness of the UAE and Dubai. We are fully-prepared to effectively and positively contribute to building Smart Dubai and add to the happiness of citizens and residents," he added. "Last week, we announced the first project under the first smart initiative, in collaboration with Dubai Airports, to supply Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali with solar energy. The first step in implementing the initiative was installing photovoltaic panels to produce 30kW of electricity there. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395277954923.html