Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) | DEWA organises awareness activities related to conserving energy and water during Ramadan

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) organised an awareness programme during the Holy Month of Ramadan, in cooperation with a number of government organisations in Dubai. This supports DEWA’s strategy to spread sustainability and encourage society members to rationalise the use of electricity and water. The programme is part of DEWA’s ‘Let’s Make this Summer Green’ annual campaign.

The programme includes lectures and tips about the importance of rationalising consumption and avoiding waste on a daily basis. Steps that can be taken include setting air-conditioning to 24°C, scheduling the use of high-usage electrical appliances outside peak-load hours from 12-6pm, using smart irrigation systems, fixing water leaks, pre-travel advice, and other guidelines that DEWA provides on its website and smart app.

Throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan, the Awareness team at DEWA visits several sites in Dubai, including mosques, labour camps, and Iftar tents. To date, the team has visited 17 mosques under the supervision of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai (IACAD) and 9 Emirates Red Crescent Iftar tents. The team also participated in the Rashid bin Mohammed Ramadan Gathering, and the 21st Dubai International Holy Quran Award, in cooperation with Dubai Chamber. DEWA is the Platinum Sponsor of the Award.

During these visits, the team organises interactive awareness competitions, where gifts are distributed to participants and attendees. Till now, over 19,000 people have participated in the activities organised by DEWA.

“This awareness programme, which is part of ‘Let’s Make this Summer Green’ campaign, during the Holy Month of Ramadan, is part of our strategy to consolidate the foundations of environmental sustainability and support the sustainable development of Dubai. This is done through the sensible use of electricity, water, and natural resource to ensure their sustainability for future generations, and to urge our society to lead a conscious and responsible lifestyle. This supports our efforts to reduce Dubai’s carbon footprint and achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to establish a sustainable model in energy conservation that supports economic growth without damaging environmental and natural resources, with such a model able to be exported to the whole world. It also supports the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy to reduce demand by 30% by 2030, and DEWA’s vision to become a sustainable innovative world class utility,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

"DEWA launches several environmental programmes, initiatives and awareness campaigns that have achieved significant savings over the past years. These campaigns effectively demonstrate that all society members can contribute to rationalising energy and water usage and reduce carbon emissions which cause global warming,” said Amal Koshak, Senior Manager of Marketing Communications at DEWA.

"All our initiatives and programmes aim to promote the rational use of resources to become a community culture and daily practice for all members of society, and to encourage the public to adopt a conscious and responsible lifestyle to conserve our natural resources,” added Koshak.

Over the past years, DEWA’s programmes and initiatives have achieved significant results in the rationalisation of electricity and water use in various sectors. Between 2009 and 2016, DEWA’s customers saved over 1.54 TW/h of electricity and 6.2 billion gallons of water, worth over AED 967 million. The generated savings have resulted in offsetting around 831,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. DEWA’s efforts have managed to reduce electricity use by 19% and water by 28% in the residential sector. The commercial sector reduced electricity use by 10% and water by 30%. The industrial sector reduced electricity use by 15% and water by 21%. Educational institutions have succeeded in reducing electricity use by 9% and water by 24%. Government and semi-governmental organisations reduced electricity use by 12% and water by 21%.