Dubai : The Emirates Energy Awards (EEA) on Tuesday evening honoured six organisations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for their contributions to energy conservation and preservation of the environment.
Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Matkoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture, bestowed the awards. The ceremony was organised by the Dubai Quality Group (DQG) that also included senior government officials, businessmen, academics and energy professionals.
Saeed Al Tayer, Chairman of EEA, said: "The Emirates Energy Award is part of our continuous awareness efforts aimed at conserving energy and contributing to further development while promoting resource preservation and sustainable development.
"Today we are very proud of the award's great success in its third year as it helped motivate individuals and organisations from both public and private sectors to enhance their participation in national efforts to preserve energy, not only in UAE but also across the GCC countries where the Award Committee was warmly welcomed."
Tecom Investments was honoured for a water conservation project that is saving millions of dirhams worth of water every year.
Green plan
Abdul Latif Al Mulla, CEO of the group, said: "Tecom's sustainable development initiatives are based on green building certification of all ongoing energy and water conservation programmes, sustainable procurement of office equipment, renewable energy and staff awareness on the issue of climate change."
He added: "The award we won is for a project in Internet City and cut Dh4 million in water costs last year through technical modification in the water network."
EEA is one of the initiatives pursued by the Dubai Quality Group to promote regional awareness of the importance of optimal use of energy.
It urges individuals and companies to switch to renewable and clean energy sources and at the same time support the local business community in establishing innovative enterprises that contribute to energy and environment conservation.
Abdullah Al Amiri, Secretary General of the EEA, said: "Management and rationalisation are the best ways to preserve sources of energy. Thus, it is crucial to highlight the importance of the role to be played by legislative bodies, the energy-producing plants, and then consumers in reducing consumption and waste."
Saudi Aramco won three awards.
Ahmad Mousa Al Zah-rani, Supervision Energy Unit of Aramco, said: "Saudi Aramco's energy management programme comprehensively covers energy utilisation in both the industrial and commercial buildings. Aramco's vision to reduce its energy bill has an annual target of 2 per cent per year."
To achieve this, he said Aramco developed a corporate energy conservation policy and monitored company-wide energy consumption in addition to introducing energy accountability at all levels within the organisation and developing in-house technical capability.
Dr Wafi Dawood, Chairman of the Dubai Quality Group, said: "In line with its belief in the importance of strengthening the mechanisms of action in light of clean energy and climate changes, the group took the lead." The Emirates Energy Award is an initiative of the group that aims to encourage the development of efficient energy management and conservation practices, Dawood said.
ROLL OF HONOUR
Energy Award for public corporation went to Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) for mass loss reduction programme.
Energy Award for private corporation went to Saudi Aramco for energy management programme. The second place went to Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company for reducing energy consumption
Major Project Award went to Al Khaleej Sugar for utilisation of low pressure vapour.
Minor Project Award went in the first place to Aramco for its sustainable and environment division, and in the second place went to Tecom for water conservation project.
Education and Research Award went to Aramco for Combined Heat and Power Model Development.
Energy Engineer Award went to D.S. Narayana.
