Dubai Supreme Council of Energy signs agreement with Dubai Airports

Dubai - The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, or DSCE, has held its 37th meeting, headed by Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the DSCE, and attended by its vice-chairman Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer at its headquarters.

Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, secretary-general of the DSCE, attended the meeting, with members of the council including Saif Humaid Al Falasi, CEO of Emirates National Oil Company; Abdullah Abdul Kareem, director-general of the Department of Oil Affairs; Salim bin Mesmar, assistant director-general for the environment, health and safety sector at Dubai Municipality; Waleed Salman, vice-president of the Dubai Nuclear Energy Committee; Nasser Hamad Bu Shehab, director of the Roads and Transport Authority's Strategic Planning Department; Keiron Ferguson, general manager of the Dubai Supply Authority; and Frederic Chemin, general manager of Dubai Petroleum Establishment.
After the meeting, Al Muhairbi and Chris Garton, senior vice-president for operations at Dubai Airports, signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation and the exchange of information and experience between both parties, and to develop energy reports to achieve Dubai Airports' goal to decrease energy demand by 20 per cent by 2021.
The signing was witnessed by Shaikh Ahmed, who is also President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, President of Emirates airline and Chief Executive of the Emirates Group, and Al Tayer.
Garton said the agreement will enhance cooperation with the DSCE. He also observed that this partnership supports the Dubai Strategy 2030 to make Dubai a sustainable economy for future generations.
Masoud Taher, vice-president of engineering services at Dubai Airports and supervisor of the energy programme, noted that Dubai Airports is one of the largest consumers of energy in Dubai, and that this agreement will support cooperation to achieve this goal.
"We are working to achieve our wise government's directives, the UAE National Vision 2021 and Dubai Plan 2021 to make Dubai a smart, integrated and connected city that is sustainable with its resources, improves living standards, and enhances Dubai's position as an international model in green economy," said Al Tayer.
"This is why the DSCE reviewed the latest updates about its demand side management strategy, a part of the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, and discussed the Dubai Green Transport initiative to encourage the use of sustainable transportation, such as hybrid and electric vehicles, to decrease Dubai's total carbon emissions by 19 per cent. Transportation is the main reason behind carbon emissions. We will cooperate with government organisations, especially ones that use large fleets of cars, to encourage them to use hybrids and electric cars over the coming years."
"We also discussed the Green Purchase initiative that was launched as part of the demand side management strategy, for the council's member companies to purchase products that reduce electricity and water use. This will help to reduce consumption and carbon emissions in Dubai, and save energy in the long-term. The demand side management strategy comprises of eight major programmes including green building system specifications, retrofitting of buildings and district cooling, and raising standards of efficiency of appliances, equipment and lighting."
"During the meeting, we discussed the latest updates from the Mohammed bin Rashid Smart Majlis, launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to offer citizens, residents and supporters of Dubai around the world the opportunity to suggest innovative ideas and comments, that will contribute to making Dubai the smartest and fastest-developing city in the world. The DSCE has received over 157 innovative ideas about energy, especially renewable energy, since the launch of the initiative," said Al Muhairbi.
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