Dewa dismisses claims over renewable energy

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Leisurecorp is looking to make use of excess solar power generated by the buildings in its Jumeirah Golf Estates Water neighbourhood.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has dismissed claims that energy is being wasted because it cannot accept excess power from private renewable sources into the grid.

Dewa managing director and CEO Saeed Al Tayer also said that recent reports of power shortages in Dubai "have no real grounds."

The comments over renewable energy were made by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Leed) accredited professional John Pekarovic, development manager at Dubaiworld company Leisurecorp responsible for the Jumeirah Golf Estates Water neighbourhood.

Pekarovic said, "In the US we had photocells up on the roof that hooked on and spun my needle backwards during the day.

"But you can't do that in Dubai. Dewa is one of the biggest obstacles. That's one of the things that needs to change."

But Al Tayer told Construction Week, "Dewa has conducted feasibility studies to use renewable energy and will use it as long as it would be feasible and cost effective for utility purposes. 

"This is part of Dewa's commitment towards environment preservation and in line with the Dubai Strategic Plan." 

Al Tayer added, "We are not aware of any developer who is handling renewable energy sources that Dewa is reluctant to cooperate with."

Federal Electricity and Water Authority (Fewa) director of electricity Waleed Ali Salman said being able to accept energy from private renewable sources was something that Fewa was working on.

"There are rules and regulations for such a market. It's something that we'd definitely like to do. Our policy is to encourage initiatives for environmentally friendly energy generation," he said.

"We are in the process of forming a committee and hiring a consultant to put the rules, regulations and policy in place so that we can deal with such available energy."

Dubai has been gripped by reports of power shortages for months, with developers in one area, Business Bay, citing a lack of Dewa sub-stations.

But Al Tayer said, "Dewa is constantly meeting all demands for power and water in the emirate of Dubai for all development projects and existing demands, with a very high reserve margin.

"Any talks about shortages have no real grounds. Our records, which show the demands and sufficient reserve margins, are available."

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