Business | Construction

New projects 'need to be energy efficient'

Energy efficiency has huge potential for the facilities management sector in the UAE, according to Markus Oberlin, general manager, Farnek Avireal, an energy conservation consulting company.

  • By Gureni Lukwaro, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:39 June 8, 2008
  • Gulf News

Dubai: Energy efficiency has huge potential for the facilities management sector in the UAE, according to Markus Oberlin, general manager, Farnek Avireal, an energy conservation consulting company.

Oberlin said the UAE is among the top energy consumers and polluters in the world. "On an average, per capita UAE water usage is 350 litres per person per day with UAE hotels consuming much more than that," he said.

Movenpick consumes an average of 650 litres per person per day, Marriot consumes an average of 1,000 litres per person per day and Burj Al Arab consumes an average of 2,000 litres per person per day. Orbelin said an average five-star hotel in the UAE emits around 6,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.In Europe, an average five-star hotel emits 3,000 tonnes per year.

Orbelin said incorporating energy efficiency measures could cut energy costs up to 30 per cent and reduce toxic gas emissions.

Design is the most efficient way to minimise energy consumption, he said, pointing to a building's orientation. Long (north-south) axis buildings offer better energy efficiency.

Oberlin said cool-walling a building can help reduce exterior wall temperature of the building by five degrees Celsius, hence reducing the energy needed to cool the structure.

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