Dubai issues new regulations for district cooling services

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has issued a new resolution whereby the Regulatory and Supervisory Bureau for Electricity and Water of Dubai (RSB) is responsible for regulating the district cooling service sector and billing services in the emirate.

RSB will define the standards and requirements for licensing, set the technical specifications for district cooling systems, regulate the relationship between service providers and the customer, and seek to amicably settle disputes between service providers and the customer, said a press statement issued on Wednesday.

Pursuant to this Resolution No. (6) of 2021, only service providers duly licenced by RSB and other concerned departments are permitted to provide district cooling and billing services in Dubai.

District cooling service providers and billing service providers are required to obtain necessary approvals before installing cooling units and connecting them to district cooling systems. Service providers and billing agents must meet all requirements and provide the equipment necessary to install cooling units, use approved energy-efficient systems and satisfy all safety conditions, said the press statement.

Adequate pathways

The Resolution also obligates concerned government departments and real-estate developers to provide adequate spaces and pathways for installing district cooling networks.

The Resolution also outlines the terms for measuring the consumption and issuing the bills based on the tariff system of the cooling capacity, or any other system approved by RSB.

The Resolution also specifies the penalties and fines imposed on violators and the functions of RSB in this regard.

The Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, or whoever he delegates, will receive and review all grievances related to penalties and fines, provided they are submitted in writing within 30 days of the date of receiving the notification of the administrative decision or penalty imposed on him.

The Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy will issue his decision within 60 days of the date of receiving the grievance.

All providers of district cooling and billing services must comply with the provisions of this Resolution within a year of the date of its activation. The Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy is authorised to extend the grace period for compliance for another year if required.

The Resolution is applicable to providers of district cooling and billing services, including service providers in private development zones, free zones and Dubai International Financial Centre.

This Resolution annuls any other legislation that contradicts or challenges its articles. The Resolution will be published in the Official Gazette and will be valid from the date pf publication.

-waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com