TAQA Energy Services and Sdeira Group have launched one of Abu Dhabi’s largest building retrofit initiatives in Aryam ICAD Residential City, aiming to slash carbon emissions and water usage while boosting residents’ quality of life under the emirate’s 2030 and 2050 sustainability targets.
TAQA Energy Services and Sdeira Group have kicked off one of Abu Dhabi’s biggest building retrofit projects in Aryam ICAD Residential City, Mussafah. The announcement was first made at the World Utilities Congress in 2023, and the details were finalized during ADIPEC 2025. This project marks a significant move in the emirate’s efforts to boost energy and water efficiencies in its built environment. Over the course of 14 months, the initiative will focus on eight residential clusters along with a shopping mall, implementing advanced upgrades like improvements to HVAC systems, new water-saving solutions, and state-of-the-art energy monitoring tools.
The project lines up closely with Abu Dhabi’s ambitious Energy & Water Efficiency Strategy 2030 and the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 goals. Its aim is to push sustainability forward in urban development. By upgrading existing buildings, the partnership expects to cut carbon emissions by roughly 17,000 tonnes each year, save around AED 12 million in costs, and reinvest those savings into further innovation and efficiency projects. These benefits aren’t just about reducing pollution, they also boost the economic resilience of local communities.
During the ADIPEC signing event, Khalid Mohammed Al Qubaisi, CEO of TAQA Energy Services, emphasized how important this project is for improving Abu Dhabi’s energy infrastructure. He pointed out that it fits perfectly with the emirate’s long-term plans for sustainability. “Our collaboration with Sdeira Group is a big step toward building a more advanced, energy-efficient infrastructure that supports Abu Dhabi’s 2030 water and energy objectives, and the UAE’s goal for net-zero emissions by 2050,” he said. “This partnership aims to promote sustainable growth while also protecting our natural resources.”
Abdulaziz Bawazir, CEO of Sdeira Group, echoed the same sentiment, stressing that sustainability is at the heart of his company’s mission. “Our work with TAQA reflects our shared commitment to caring for the environment while also enabling economic development,” he explained. “Aryam ICAD Residential City, which is home to over 58,000 residents, is one of our key staff housing communities. The retrofit isn’t just about lowering utility bills; it’s also about improving residents’ quality of life.”
Some of the anticipated community benefits include cutting electricity use by about 36 gigawatt-hours annually and saving over 616,000 cubic metres of water. These figures translate into roughly the same amount of carbon absorption as over 250,000 trees over ten years. Beyond these numbers though, the project is expected to improve air quality, make buildings more comfortable for occupants, and strengthen the reliability of systems, all showcasing how sustainability initiatives can provide social and environmental advantages at once.
Aryam ICAD Residential City, owned and managed by Eskan, plays a key role in Abu Dhabi’s urban landscape. This retrofit effort bolsters the city’s reputation as a leading example of sustainable housing development, demonstrating how modernization of infrastructure can produce widespread benefits across various areas, environmental, economic, and social alike.
TAQA Energy Services, which was founded in 2020 as part of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), continues to lead the way in innovation within water and energy sectors. This retrofit complements other major projects, like TAQA Water Solutions’ recent AED 95 million investment in a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. That setup will optimize wastewater treatment and cut about 6,500 tonnes of carbon emissions each year across Abu Dhabi’s extensive water network, by the way.
There’s also a AED 150 million wastewater infrastructure project in Al Bahia and Al Sadr, run by TAQA Water Solutions, aiming to improve energy efficiency through a gravity-driven deep wastewater line and the closure of outdated pumping stations. These initiatives reassert Abu Dhabi’s dedication to sustainable urban growth and protecting the environment.
On a wider institutional level, agreements like the one between the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Abu Dhabi Energy Services, known as the Unified Framework, show how the government is pushing to retrofit public buildings to be more energy and water-efficient. Such efforts help meet targets for resource management and reducing overall carbon footprints.
Additionally, the Department of Energy’s recent memorandum of understanding with Aldar Real Estate highlights public-private collaborations aimed at boosting sustainability in the real estate sector, which is a key driver of urban growth.
There are also practical measures encouraging residents to save water and electricity, like sending alerts for excessive usage or installing low-flow fittings in public facilities. It’s interesting to see how the effort extends beyond just upgrading infrastructure to influencing behavior. Overall, these projects and partnerships weave together a comprehensive plan for Abu Dhabi’s sustainable urban transformation.
The Aryam ICAD retrofit, in particular, stands out as a flagship example of how targeted investments in infrastructure can lead to real environmental benefits, cost savings, and better living standards. It positions Abu Dhabi as a regional leader in climate technology and sustainable development. Hopefully, this success will spark similar initiatives across the emirate, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s vision of a resilient, resource-efficient future that balances economic growth with environmental responsibility.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.skynewsarabia.com/business/1833972-%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AE%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B9%D8%A7-%D8%B6%D8%AE%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%94%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%85 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://uaenews247.com/2025/11/14/taqa-energy-services-and-sdeira-group-launch-one-of-abu-dhabis-largest-building-retrofit-projects-at-aryam-icad-residential-city/ – TAQA Energy Services, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), has partnered with Sdeira Group, a subsidiary of AD Ports Group, to implement a significant building retrofit project at Aryam ICAD Residential City in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi. The project, announced at the World Utilities Congress 2023 and formalised during ADIPEC 2025, aims to enhance energy and water efficiency over a 14-month period. Key initiatives include upgrading HVAC systems, deploying advanced energy monitoring technologies, and installing water-saving solutions across eight building clusters, including residential compounds and a shopping mall. The project is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 17,000 tonnes annually and achieve savings of AED 12 million, which will be reinvested into the programme to create a self-sustaining cycle of efficiency and innovation. This collaboration aligns with the Abu Dhabi Energy & Water Efficiency Strategy 2030 and the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 initiative, supporting sustainable growth while conserving vital natural resources.
- https://www.abudhabichamber.ae/en/media-centre/news/AbuDhabi-Chamber-ADES-UFA-2024 – The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) has signed a Unified Framework Agreement (UFA) with Abu Dhabi Energy Services (ADES), a subsidiary of TAQA Group, to enhance cooperation in environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and the rationalisation of water and electricity consumption. The agreement focuses on retrofitting ADCCI’s buildings in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain with energy efficiency measures. This initiative aligns with the Abu Dhabi Demand Side Management and Energy Rationalisation Strategy 2030 and marks the commencement of the Government Buildings Retrofits Programme. The partnership aims to achieve tangible savings in energy and water consumption, contributing to the optimal management of resources and reducing the carbon footprint in the retrofitted buildings.
- https://taqa-ws.com/news/announcements/taqa-water-solutions-launches-aed95m-sustainable-project-to-develop-supervisory-control-and-data-acquisition-system/ – TAQA Water Solutions has awarded a AED 95 million project to develop a comprehensive Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system across its treatment infrastructure, anchored by a new, centralised control facility. Announced during the IDRA World Congress 2024, the project aims to drive environmental sustainability by enhancing operational efficiency, reducing the company’s carbon footprint, and improving wastewater treatment capacity by approximately 20 per cent. The SCADA system will enable integrated, real-time monitoring and control of TAQA Water Solutions’ extensive network, linking all plants in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. This integration ensures seamless, real-time oversight and efficient management across the entire infrastructure, which spans over 13,000 kilometres in length, 43 treatment plants, and 260 pumping stations. The project is expected to reduce carbon emissions of the treatment plants by up to 13 per cent, equivalent to almost 6,500 metric tonnes annually, and deliver a 12 per cent reduction in maintenance costs, with total annual savings of more than AED 10 million.
- https://www.taqa-ws.com/news/announcements/abu-dhabi-s-al-bahia-community-to-witness-sustainable-growth/ – TAQA Water Solutions has announced a AED 150 million transformative wastewater management project in Al Bahia and Al Sadr, aiming to redefine infrastructure standards in these communities. The project includes the development of a 9.5-kilometre deep gravity-driven line and the decommissioning of several pumping stations, minimising energy consumption and reducing carbon emissions in line with the UAE’s sustainability goals. This asset enhancement scheme will significantly increase overall hydraulic capacity to 120,000 cubic metres per day, effectively serving the needs of the rapidly developing areas in Al Bahia and surrounding areas such as Al Sadr, Al Shaleila, and Taweelah. The initiative underscores TAQA Water Solutions’ commitment to supporting Abu Dhabi’s urban development strategies and socio-economic growth while prioritising environmental responsibility and improving the quality of life in these communities.
- https://gulfnews.com/uae/environment/residents-to-be-encouraged-to-conserve-resources-1.1963478 – The Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) is implementing measures to encourage residents to conserve water and electricity. The authority plans to monitor water usage patterns in 85,000 villas and traditional buildings, focusing on excess usage. Residents exceeding expected consumption will be alerted, aiming to reduce water consumption in the emirate by 20 million cubic metres. Additionally, special attention will be given to the 2,500 public mosques to save five million cubic metres of excess water lost during ablution. The installation of 42,000 low-flow, automatic cut-off faucets is part of this initiative. Detailed manuals will also be provided to 100,000 non-residential entities, which currently use over half of all available resources, on optimising electricity and water use.
- https://www.tradearabia.com/News/430089/Abu-Dhabi-Dept-of-Energy%2C-Aldar-to-advance-energy%2C-water-efficiency- – The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Aldar to strengthen collaborative efforts in energy and water efficiency, sustainability, and resource preservation. This partnership aims to support joint efforts in promoting sustainability practices, contributing to holistic prosperity across all sectors in Abu Dhabi. The MoU was formalised at the Department of Energy’s pavilion at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The signing was attended by Dr Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, DoE Chairman, Eng Ahmed Mohammed Al Rumaithi, DoE Undersecretary, and Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer at Aldar, along with a number of executives from both organisations. This collaboration forms a key element of the strategic partnership between the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy and leading private sector firms, particularly in the real estate sector, which plays a pivotal role in driving sustainable development and fostering urban growth.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears to be original, with no prior publications found. The announcement was first made at the World Utilities Congress in 2023, and the details were finalized during ADIPEC 2025. The project is set to commence over the next 14 months, indicating a recent development. No evidence of recycled content or republishing across low-quality sites was found. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The content is current, with no similar narratives appearing more than 7 days earlier. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material does not significantly affect the freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from Khalid Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Abdulaziz Bawazir are unique to this report, with no identical matches found online. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content. No variations in quote wording were noted.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from Sky News Arabia, a reputable news outlet based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This enhances the credibility of the report. The entities mentioned, TAQA Energy Services and Sdeira Group, are verifiable and have a public presence. No unverifiable or potentially fabricated entities were identified.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the retrofit project align with Abu Dhabi’s known initiatives to enhance energy and water efficiency in its built environment. The project details, including the focus on eight residential clusters and a shopping mall, are plausible and consistent with the emirate’s sustainability goals. The anticipated benefits, such as reducing carbon emissions by approximately 17,000 tonnes annually and saving around AED 12 million, are reasonable and supported by the context. The language and tone are consistent with official communications from reputable organisations. No excessive or off-topic details were noted, and the structure does not include potential distraction tactics.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The report presents original and current information about a significant retrofit project in Abu Dhabi, sourced from a reputable news outlet. The direct quotes are unique, and the entities involved are verifiable. The claims are plausible and align with known sustainability initiatives in the region. No signs of recycled content, disinformation, or credibility issues were identified.
