Dubai
A customer service centre in Hatta will soon be powered by the sun. Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO), a company owned by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), has announced the installation of 144 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on the rooftop of its Customer Happiness Centre in Hatta.
The move, which is part of the Shams Dubai initiative, aims to encourage building owners to install PV panels on their rooftops to generate electricity from solar power, and link it to Dewa’s network.
The solar panels can generate about 37.5KW of electricity and can produce about 56,900 KWh per year. This clean power contributes to a reduction of around 24 tonnes of carbon emissions per year, equivalent to planting 625 trees a year.
The Hatta Comprehensive Development Plan, launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, includes several important initiatives and projects.
Also, as part of the Shams Dubai initiative, Etihad ESCO is designing and installing solar PV systems in 640 villas in Hatta, to be completed by the end of 2018.
“We are pleased to play a role in the development of Hatta. The UAE Government wants to ensure sustainable development while preserving the environment, and to achieve a perfect balance between economic and social development,” Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa, said.
“Dewa is encouraging the use of electric vehicles in Hatta through its Green Charger initiative to install electric-vehicle charging stations to encourage the use of the environmentally-friendly electric vehicles. Currently, there is a charging station at Dewa’s Customer Happiness Centre in Hatta, with other Green Chargers planned in the region.”
Al Tayer said Dewa is also working to install smart meters in Hatta as per the latest international systems through its Smart Application via Smart Meter and Grid initiative. Smart meters provide advanced features through smart applications. They enable customers to monitor and control their use, connection speed, and other innovative features that promote a smart and green lifestyle.
