Dubai slashes energy use for Earth Hour

Dubai slashed energy consumption by 100,000 kilowatt-hour (kWh) on Saturday, as residents and businesses turned off lights across the city, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) said on Sunday.

The state utility said thousands of participants switched off non-essential appliances during ‘Earth Hour,’ to prevent the emission of 60,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide.

The reduction in electrical demand was 75 megawatts, representing 2.4% of demand before the hour began, the company said in a statement.

Exterior lights of the Burj Al Arab and neighbouring hotels were extinguished for the climate change initiative, while street lighting in selected areas was dimmed by 50%.

Dubai becomes the first Arab city to support Earth Hour, now in its second year. Up to 30 million people across the globe are expected to have switched off their lights for 60 minutes by the time the campaign completes its westward cycle across 35 countries.