Abu Dhabi's new procurement policy aims for major strides in water and energy efficiency by 2030

The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has rolled out a fresh policy aimed at boosting energy and water efficiency within the emirate’s government operations. The new “Efficient Appliances Procurement Policy for Government Entities in Abu Dhabi” is a key part of the updated Abu Dhabi Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy 2030. This strategy sets bold goals, specifically, cutting electricity use by 22%, which translates to about 19 terawatt-hours (TWh), and water consumption by 32%, or roughly 465 million cubic meters, by 2030, compared to what was typical in 2013.

Basically, under this new policy, any appliances purchased by government bodies will have to meet strict standards for energy and water efficiency. The expected outcome? Big savings, roughly 8.2 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually and about 120,000 cubic meters of water saved each year by the time 2030 rolls around, though of course, that depends on how quickly appliances get replaced and adopted. The policy isn’t just about trimming costs; it also aims to lower the government’s greenhouse gas emissions, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as a leader in sustainable procurement and resource management.

His Excellency Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Rumaithi, the Undersecretary of the DoE, underlined the importance of weaving sustainability into government operations, saying, “We are embedding sustainability into the fabric of government operations and driving long-term environmental and economic value for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.” Meanwhile, Eng. Ahmed Al Falasi, who’s the Executive Director of the Energy Efficiency Sector at DoE, pointed out that this policy will encourage innovation among suppliers and manufacturers, making Abu Dhabi a bit of a regional trailblazer when it comes to adopting efficient tech.

This procurement policy fits neatly into broader efforts within Abu Dhabi’s Demand Side Management and Energy Rationalisation Strategy 2030, a multi-program approach designed to boost efficiency across the board. This includes nine different initiatives aimed at balancing supply and demand, and collectively, they’re targeting the same 22% and 32% reductions in electricity and water use. The DoE uses a comprehensive approach, mixing top-down targets with bottom-up assessments, to keep track of progress.

Beyond just procurement, the DoE is also rolling out several other programs to back the emirate’s sustainability ambitions, all in line with the UAE’s goal of reaching Net Zero emissions by 2050. For instance, the “Energy Efficiency Accelerators” program targets the industrial sector, offering technical assessments to around 100 industrial facilities in areas like construction materials, food and beverages, and chemicals, these are sectors that consume a lot of energy and water outside of oil. The idea is to help companies lower their operational costs while also reducing their environmental impact.

On top of that, the government has been working to raise public awareness through campaigns in schools and homes. These initiatives aim to get Abu Dhabi’s residents involved in sustainability practices, nurturing conservation habits and fostering energy awareness from a young age.

In addition, the DoE successfully completed the emirate’s first Energy Saving Performance Contracting (ESPC) pilot, which involved retrofitting eight government buildings to improve efficiency. This trial project forms part of the wider Government Buildings Retrofit program, designed to cut energy use and operational expenses, while also creating long-term savings for both tenants and owners. Plus, this retrofit effort aligns with the regulations introduced in July 2023 that guide demand-side management and energy efficiency programs, creating a unified, sustainable framework for the future.

Looking beyond the DoE’s initiatives, there’s also support from other institutions. A recent agreement between the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Abu Dhabi Energy Services aims to retrofit key government buildings in both Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. This collaboration, endorsed by both the Department of Energy and the Department of Finance, helps advance the retrofit plans and further push Abu Dhabi’s goals for energy and water conservation.

All of these activities together form a comprehensive strategy to promote sustainability across the public sector. By introducing high-efficiency appliances, optimizing industrial processes, raising public awareness, and upgrading government buildings, Abu Dhabi is not only aligning with the national net zero ambitions but also setting an example for environmentally conscious governance.

Since its founding in 2018, the Department of Energy has continued to be at the forefront of this shift. Its role involves creating policies and regulations that foster a sustainable energy ecosystem. And, interestingly enough, their vision isn’t just about quick wins, it’s about building a prosperous, secure future with affordable, reliable energy enabled by innovative technology.

As Abu Dhabi advances with its Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy 2030, the new Appliances Procurement Policy really stands out as a concrete move toward significantly reducing resource use. These policies and programs, taken together, make up a clear plan, one that shows how government-led initiatives can make measurable environmental improvements while also providing economic benefits to the public sector. It’s pretty inspiring, don’t you think?

Source: Noah Wire Services