Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) gives great importance to issues related to environmental protection, sustainability and preserving natural resources. DEWA launches a series of initiatives, programmes, and awareness campaigns, throughout the year, targeting all customers, to highlight the importance of rationalising energy and water consumption, and adopting a sustainable lifestyle. This supports DEWA’s strategic objectives, and its vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility.
During summer, DEWA launches initiatives on the importance of rationalising consumption in Dubai. This supports Dubai’s efforts in reducing carbon footprint, to achieve the objectives of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It is also aligned with the Demand Side Management Strategy, which aims to reduce consumption by 30% by 2030, to establish a sustainable model for rationalising energy and water, and support economic growth, without harming natural resources.
‘Let’s make this summer green’ campaign
DEWA adopts a clear strategy to involve all stakeholders to protect the environment and conserve natural resources for sustainable development through several environmental programmes and initiatives, as well as rationalisation awareness campaigns. One of these initiatives is ‘Let’s make this summer green’ campaign. With summer temperatures rising and the beginning of the summer vacation and travel season, DEWA launched ‘Let’s make this summer green’ for the second year running. The campaign was launched via social media channels, DEWA’s website, as well as other audio-visual media channels. The campaign focuses on several guidelines including rationalisation of consumption during the Holy Month of Ramadan, reducing power consumption during peak hours (12 noon to 6 pm), setting the AC to 24°C, tips for when away on summer vacation, fixing water leaks, and installing drip irrigation systems. In addition, DEWA’s Conservation Team organises lectures and field visits to government organisations and departments, private companies, malls, and cooperative societies.
Peak load campaign
Since energy demand is higher in the summer, especially during peak-load hours, this results in increasing energy production, DEWA encourages people to use high-energy electrical appliances such as washing machines, water heaters, electric ovens, air conditioners, and irons in the morning or evening outside peak-load hours (12-6pm). Such practices help all members of society to contribute to saving energy and protecting the environment.
Tips before travelling
‘Let’s make this summer green’ campaign also included ‘Tips before travelling’ campaign, through media channels, social media platforms, and DEWA’s website. The campaign includes a number of guidelines for customers to follow before going on vacation or leaving their homes for long periods of time during the summer. The campaign aims to conserve electricity and water, while maintaining the safety of homes.
These include switching off lights, unplugging electrical appliances and electronics to save energy, making sure there are no water leaks in the house by checking all taps and internal pipes in bathrooms and kitchens, and shutting off the water supply to avoid any water leakage.
‘Engineers of the Future’ summer camp
DEWA’s efforts also included the summer camp for Young Engineers. The camp is an ideal platform to prepare students for a promising career and helping them acquire the necessary technical skills, developing their scientific research skills, and motivating the younger generation to learn about science and technology, as well as promoting the concept of educational entertainment.
The summer camp open to children (both Emiratis and non-Emiratis) of age 12 to 15, and was held in the second half of July, 2017, at Zabeel Park. It included practical trainings on the basics of robotics, ways to develop smart applications, and a series of daily activities and fun competitions. The third summer camp followed on the great success achieved by last year’s camp, which received a 99% happiness rating from students, and a 100% satisfaction rating from parents.