A complete guide to Dubai’s green future initiatives
- UAE Energy Strategy 2050
- Dubai Solar Park
- Shams Dubai
- Dubai Green Fund
- Hydroelectricity in Hatta
- EV Green Future Dubai
- FAQs
As the world sees the impact of fast-accelerating climate change, countries are looking to lower their carbon footprint and walk down the path of sustainability. One of them is the UAE, whose leaders have talked about their commitment to a greener future and plans to see it through.
If you’re keen on learning about the green future of Dubai, you’re in the right place. Let’s get right to it!
Green future Dubai through the UAE Energy Strategy 2050
Climate change can adversely affect people’s lives and livelihoods, with rising sea levels causing a multitude of concerns in food scarcity, extreme weather and reduction of resources. Understanding this, the UAE launched the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, a series of initiatives to diversify the country’s energy sources. This means moving towards more than 50% clean energy usage, reducing the carbon footprint by 70% and improving overall consumption efficiency.
We also have initiatives like the UAE Green Agenda 2030, which aims to increase the UAE’s GDP as well as reduce the country’s emissions to less than 100 KWh. To achieve this goal, Dubai has been setting up several infrastructure projects and funding systems. Let’s look at a few developments that are a part of the green future in Dubai 2030.
Dubai Solar Park
Dubai Solar Park, or the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, takes the cake for being one of the largest generators of alternative energy from a single location. It is expected to produce over 5000 KW by 2030, gaining a total investment of AED 50B.
Innovation Centre
Dubai Solar Park will have an innovation centre, which is where the magic will happen! Innovations in the energy and water sector will be developed in its network of labs, workshops and testing facilities.
In this Innovation Centre, research into electricity production from clean energy sources (including solar power), energy efficiency and water will be at the forefront. It will also be a place to educate the masses, with events and seminars held to bring forth awareness and ideas on sustainability and a green future in Dubai.
This innovation centre has received a platinum rating from LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), with 101 points out of a possible 110 in 2020 – a proud achievement for a new government building.
DEWA Research and Development (R&D) Centre
The DEWA R&D Centre will play a key role in green future Dubai by researching ways to innovate DEWA’s efficiency. It will be located at the Dubai Solar Park and will have a range of labs, 3D printers, testing and validation fields, green hydrogen pilots and more to facilitate research.
The DEWA R&D centre would be involved in the Green Hydrogen project, which is a plan to create hydrogen through solar power. Hydrogen can potentially be used in industries and transportation (without pollution), which is why this is a breakthrough in green future Dubai.
Shams Dubai
The Shams Dubai initiative allows Dubai homeowners to fix solar panels on their home rooftops to generate electricity. DEWA will be connecting this system to its grid so that any excess is imported to it.
Shams Dubai encourages more people to install PV panels to generate electricity and work towards a green future in Dubai.
Dubai Green Fund
The Dubai Green Fund has been established to offer loans at lower interest rates to investors in clean energy. The fund is worth AED 100B and will encourage more innovations and investments in clean energy.
Hydroelectric Power Plant in Hatta
The hydroelectric power station in picturesque Hatta will be generating electricity using the water from the dam. It will also use water from an upper reservoir that is being built in the mountains. This station is to be the first of its kind in the GCC, with a storage capacity of 1.5 MWh and an 80-year life span.
Along with generating electricity, this station will use clean energy to pump water to the reservoir. All this can be seen from an aerial point of view with two additional projects by DEWA: Dubai Mountain Peak and Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls. The former includes a 5.4 km cable car to reach the Um-Al-Nesoor summit, the highest summit in Dubai. While travelling to the summit, visitors can see the artificial Hatta Sustainable Waterfall – which makes use of the slope of the dam. The waterfall’s water will be recycled and pumped back to the top of the dam.
Electric Vehicles (EV) adding to green future Dubai
Electric Vehicles, or EVs, are slightly better than petrol/diesel vehicles in terms of energy efficiency and environmental impact. This is why Dubai is encouraging more users of EVs with the EV Green Charger Initiative.
Its goal is to create a public charging infrastructure so that EV owners find ease in charging their vehicles. Today, there are more than 390 charging stations across Dubai available to charge over 700 EVs simultaneously.
EVs are the future and will be a major part of the green future of Dubai; a step closer to clean fuels and less pollution.
Zero energy building in Dubai
Al Shera’a Building in Dubai, DEWA’s new headquarters, will be the largest zero-energy building in the world. Its total energy consumption will be equal to or less than the energy produced on-site.
Al Shera’a Building will be over 2 million square feet, 15 storeys and 4 car parking floors, with a capacity of 5000 people. This building will be able to generate over 6,500 MWh of electricity in a year, making a statement as a part of the green future in Dubai.
FAQs
How will RTA contribute to a green future in Dubai?
Dubai Roads and Transport Authority will be introducing Electric and Hybrid Buses to reduce the carbon footprint of vehicles; along with more metro lines and cycling tracks so that more people are encouraged to avoid private transport.
How will waste be tackled in a green future in Dubai?
Dubai’s 2030 waste management strategy has initiatives to deal with waste management in a sustainable fashion. The goal is to have zero waste in landfills by 2030, through enhanced recycling facilities, waste-to-energy plants and eliminating single-use plastics.
Which area in Dubai is the most eco-friendly?
The most eco-friendly area in Dubai is Dubai Sustainable City. This neighbourhood along Al Qudra Road features solar-powered homes, water recycling systems and has car-free zones. There are organic farms and recycling facilities in the area, creating a fully eco-friendly utopia in Dubai.
Discover other future-oriented developments in the region with MyBayut, the UAE’s best property and lifestyle blog.
