NEWS UPDATE
10 MEP Middle East | A u g u s t 2 0 1 9 http://www.mepmiddleeast.com
The largest of its kind in the region, the system has a capacity of 5MWp and will generate
7,483,500kWh annually, cutting 3,243 tonnes of carbon emissions
UAE suffered the biggest loss of imports (14.1%), followed by
India (11.9%), as country continues move to self-sufficient model
PROJECT
Passengers fl ying into DXB will
touch down in a greener airport
thanks to 15,000 photovoltaic pan-
els at Terminal 2.
The solar energy system has
been jointly unveiled by operator
Dubai Airports and Etihad En-
ergy Ser vices Company (Etihad
ESCO) – a wholly-owned subsidi-
ar y of Dubai Electricity and Wa-
ter Authority (DEWA).
The largest of its kind in the
region, the system has a capac-
ity of 5MWp and will generate
7,483,500kWh annually.
While saving AED 3.3million
each year, the project will reduce
existing Terminal 2 load by ap-
proximately 29%, slashing annual
CO2 emissions by 3,243 metric
tonnes. Michael Ibbitson, EVP of
infrastructure and business tech-nology for Dubai Airports, said:
“Dubai Airports has undertaken
a variety of green initiatives over
the past several years to limit
our carbon footprint and support
Dubai’s goal for a 30% reduction
in the city’s energy consumption
by 2030.
“These include the use of en-
ergy effi cient fi ttings, the optimi-
sation of cooling systems, the in-
stallation of energy effi cient LED
bulbs, and many others.
“In addition to enabling us to
limit our carbon footprint while
cutting costs, these initiatives
also support our long-term vision
for a carbon neutral future.”
The project is part of Shams
Dubai, DEWA’s fi rst smart ini-
tiative that aims to promote the
use of clean renewable energy
sources.IMPORTS/EXPORTS
Omani imports of electrical ma-
chiner y and mechanical equip-
ment were slashed by 37.5% last
year, as the countr y moves to-
wards self-suffi ciency.
Overall, Oman imports de-
creased by 9.1% between Febru-
ar y 2018 and Januar y 2019, ac-
cording to a report in Times of
Oman.
Dr Ahmed Al Hooti, head of
economic study at the Oman
Chamber of Commerce and In-
dustr y, said: “We have a strong
and competitive stance and we
should take advantage of that.
“2018 was a good year and weused all the means available to
us to decrease imports through
Oman’s main ports.
“Exports from Oman will in-crease, and its imports will de-
crease in the coming years as
Oman is currently focused on
expanding its logistics.
“Going for ward, Oman also
needs to increase its exports to
its neighbouring countries.”
Data from the National Cen-
tre for Statistics and Information
suggests the trend is continuing.
Oman spent OMR 1.48billion
on imported goods in the fi rst
two months of 2019, compared
with OMR 1.63bn during the
same period the previous year.
The UAE suffered the biggest
drop in imports to Oman (14.1%),
followed by India (11.9%).Solar energy system takes fl ight at DXB
and will save AED3.3million every year
Oman slashes imports of electrical
machinery & mechanical equipment
DXB’s solar energy system. Photo by Jorge Ferrari.
BITESBITES
A fl agship residential develop-
ment on the Palm Jumeirah
could welcome its fi rst resi-
dents by December, according
to the developer.
Azizi Developments reports
that the waterfront Azizi Mina
project, situated on the east
crescent of the Palm, is now
61% complete.
To date, the completion
of blockwork is at over 85%,
internal plastering at 70%,
HVAC at around 50%, and the
second MEP fi x at over 55%.
Farhad Azizi, CEO of Azizi
Developments, said: “The
fast-paced construction at
this outstandingly prestigious
development underlines our
customer-fi rst mindset and
clear commitment to deliver
on our promises.”Data suggests the trend is continuing.