Dubai: Etihad Energy Service Company (Etihad ESCO) and Economic Zones World (EZW), parent company of Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), successfully completed the first phase of the Energy Consumption Reduction Programme for Jebel Ali Free Zone buildings in April. Following an MoU signed last December, Etihad ESCO conducted the feasibility study that identified opportunities for the reduction of electricity and water use across Jafza’s commercial, residential and industrial facilities through a cost-effective energy-efficiency programme. This programme is one of the largest of its kind in the Middle East and allows EZW to enhance its operational efficiency and lower the carbon footprint of its operations in its continuous efforts to uphold its standing as one of the leading sustainability-driven free zones in the world.
Discussions are underway to initiate the second phase of the programme to implement and finance the energy-efficiency upgrades to the buildings and to monitor the entire performance throughout the duration of the programme against set energy targets.
Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, expressed his satisfaction with the completion of the first phase of the programme and said that this initiative supports the UAE’s Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative and the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make the UAE a world leader in green economy and the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, which aims to reduce electricity consumption by 30 per cent and carbon emissions by more than 5 million tonnes by 2030.
Collaboration “EZW and JAFZA have an outstanding record of achievements in the fields of sustainability and the environment and the strategic partnership with Etihad ESCO furthers drive the collaboration and public-private partnerships that support the vision of making Dubai a leading example of energy efficiency for the region and the world,” said Al Tayer.
“The completion of the first phase by Etihad ESCO marks an important milestone in our strategy to make JAFZA’s buildings greener and more efficient. We are pleased to see that more significant savings can be made and we are looking forward to further collaboration with Etihad ESCO to realise these savings. The strategic partnership with Etihad ESCO will further drive collaboration that enhances Dubai’s leadership and global competitiveness,” said Salma Hareb, CEO of Economic Zones World.
