Energy Landscape Transformation in Abu Dhabi Emirate

2010’s huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has put the spotlight on the unrelenting depletion of fossil fuels and hence the world is on a quest to identify new and renewable energy sources for improved energy efficiency and environmental protection.

The Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 was launched by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in 2007 for achieving a sustainable economic growth and urban planning in the Emirate. Abu Dhabi with an expected 5 million population by 2030 belongs to the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates and is also the home to the capital city. Their main focus is to create a diversified economy so that reliance on oil would be reduced and also infrastructure to support a sustainable region would be built for the future.

Abu Dhabi is the host for The 2011 World Future Energy Summit (WFES) and the participants would be able to take a look at 17 of the innovative projects that is currently being developed in the Emirates for conservation of energy and impel sustainable development. The 17 projects that are being showcased by the Municipal System of the Emirate demonstrate the enormous changes taking place to reduce its dependence on the traditional energy forms.

A set of Building Codes introduced recently by the regulatory and legislative body of the Emirate’s Municipal System, the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) is undoubtedly one of the most radical initiatives towards sustainability targets and energy conservation. These codes would merge the building practices and help to develop safer, better and greener structures, which are also durable and cost-effective and conform to enhanced health and safety standards. Of all the New Building Codes, the highlight for the WFES Visitors would be the International Energy Code, which establishes minimum energy conservation standards, which would help the Emirate to fulfill the Green Building targets set by the United Nations for exceedingly hot regions.

The Mohammed Bin Zayed (MBZ) City Project is one other project that is on display at the event. The MBZ Project is creating standards for constructing sustainable communities by introducing solar energy and LED energy efficient street lighting; setting up air conditioning units and solar panels in bus shelters; recycling waste water for irrigating gardens, green spaces and municipal parks; implementing new systems of irrigation for monitoring leakages; planting shrubs and trees, which would act as windbreaks and check desertification and thus protect the natural habitat of the Emirate.

The Chairman of the Department of Municipal Affairs, H.E. Majid Ali Al Mansouri stated that the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is setting up an example for others to emulate by utilizing practical initiatives for reducing energy consumption and protecting the environment in the MENA region. The pioneering projects at the WFES would definitely be of great benefit to the citizens of Abu Dhabi Emirate with their emphasis on quality of development, life and service.