dewa-launches-public-awareness-campaign-about-shams-dubai-to-generate-their-own-solar-power

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has launched a campaign targeting all its customers to raise awareness on Shams Dubai, the initiative DEWA launched earlier this year. Shams Dubai encourages households and building owners to install photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on rooftops to produce solar energy and connect it to DEWA’s grid. The initiative supports Smart Dubai initiative, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the smartest city in the world. It also contributes to increasing dependence on clean energy sources to protect the environment. DEWA calls building owners to take advantage of Shams Dubai to produce clean energy locally, which is markedly rewarding to building owners. Benefits include reducing electricity bills, boosting the property’s market value, supporting Dubai’s economy, and ensuring a sustainable future for the Emirate. “Dubai Government, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, gives great importance to diversifying the energy mix and protecting the environment. Dubai aims to achieve a balance between development and the environment, and protects the rights of future generations to enjoy a clean, healthy, and safe environment. Dubai’s green vision recognises that alternative energy is the energy of the future,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA. DEWA places considerable attention to sustainability by diversifying the energy mix to include renewable and clean energy. DEWA’s efforts support the long-term national Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to build a green economy in the UAE. They also support the Dubai Plan 2021 for Dubai to be a smart, integrated, and connected city that sustainably manages its resources and has a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. DEWA’s efforts also complement the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, launched by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy to diversify Dubai’s energy mix,” added Al Tayer. Shams Dubai encourages building owners to install PV solar panels to produce electricity. The electricity generated is used on-site and the surplus is exported to DEWA’s grid. This encourages the use of renewable energy, increases its share in the energy mix, and diversifies energy sources. To regulate connecting electricity produced from PV panels to the power distribution system in Dubai, the Dubai Executive Council issued resolution number 46 for 2014 to put in place a comprehensive framework at legislative level to connect electricity produced from solar power to the distribution system. The resolution defines DEWA’s responsibility in developing policy for the production of electricity from solar energy, and the adoption of binding agreement terms and models, and monitoring and supervising producers. The initiative allows customers to install systems to generate electricity using photovoltaic panels. An offset between exported and imported electricity units is conducted and the customer account is settled based on this offset. Customers who are interested in installing solar PV systems can learn about the details of the initiative and the list of consultants and contractors accredited by DEWA to install solar power systems on: www.dewa.gov.ae/Shamsdubai