Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone plans to save Dh2.3m every year by cutting energy, water use

Ras Al Khaimah - The five-year pact is in line with RAK energy efficiency and renewable energy strategy 2040.

 Nine buildings of the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (Rakez) are to cut energy and water consumption by 38.5 per cent, which could help save Dh2.3 million every year.
The move follows an agreement signed by Rakez with Smart4Power, one of the Middle East's leading energy efficiency solutions providers, for a retrofit project that includes a district cooling plant.
The five-year pact is in line with RAK energy efficiency and renewable energy strategy 2040, according to Ramy Jallad, CEO of Rakez.
"We have started adopting Barjeel standards that have been recently introduced by Ras Al Khaimah Municipality."
Eyad Ismail, director of engineering, Rakez, said Smart4Power has been entrusted with the retrofit of Rakez's eight office buildings, and one district cooling plant.
"In all, the structures occupy more than 73,000 square meters of area. The project's retrofitting measures focus on the improvement of Hvac (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning), lighting, water and controls systems."
The project aims to save 38.5 per cent of energy and water, which amounts to Dh2.3 million in savings every year with a payback time of less than four years, he added.
"Those savings are among the highest achieved until now in the region for projects entailing such a comprehensive set of measures."
The project will provide guaranteed total savings of more than 25 gigawatt-hours of electricity over the contract duration, with an impact on carbon emissions comparable to that of taking nearly 2,000 cars off the roads, he pointed out.
"These are added to over 14 million imperial gallons of water will be saved during the period, enough to fill 25 Olympic-sized swimming pools."
Jesús Gutiérrez, co-founder & CEO of Smart4Power, said they will implement a series of energy and water conservation measures, such as improvement of cooling systems, addition of adiabatic cooling for chillers, LED light replacements and installation of water-saving devices.
"Advanced Hvac automation and controls will be installed, which will have a major contribution to the savings generated by the project," he said. "The installation will be completed by early 2020, and operations, maintenance and verification services will continue for at least five years."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Ras Al Khaimah