The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has announced the start of the first phase of a project to reduce energy and water consumption in federal government buildings. The works kicked off at Abdullah Bin Omar Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah and will cover 60 government buildings nationwide with investments amounting to 120 million dirhams. This step is in line with the ministry's commitment to accelerating the transition towards higher energy efficiency and supporting the targets of the National Strategy for Energy and Water Demand Management.
This move is part of a comprehensive plan that extends to a second phase, covering 360 federal government buildings with an estimated cost of up to one billion dirhams. The project is fully funded by the private sector, reflecting the adoption of an effective partnership model to achieve sustainable energy and water savings at the national level.
Engineer Sherif Al Olama, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, confirmed that the launch of works at the hospital marks a significant practical step within a strategic program aimed at enhancing the energy efficiency of government buildings, reducing carbon emissions, and achieving sustainable energy and water savings. These efforts align with the country's directions on sustainability and energy demand management.
He explained that the national project, covering 60 government buildings, will contribute to achieving savings of up to 27% in total energy and water consumption in the targeted buildings, and will help the country meet its targets for reducing carbon emissions in the building sector and ensuring the sustainability of government buildings.
He also highlighted that the scope of work at the Abdullah Omar Hospital project includes a comprehensive package of technical solutions, such as replacing air conditioning units with high-efficiency ones, upgrading lighting systems to energy-saving technologies, and replacing pumps with more efficient systems. Additionally, advanced engineering solutions will be applied to improve energy and water efficiency according to global best practices.
He noted that the project is implemented in partnership with the private sector through an innovative financing model based on full funding from the private partner without direct financial burdens on the government, which enhances financial sustainability and demonstrates the effectiveness of public-private partnership in energy efficiency projects.
He stated that the initiative comes within the framework of supporting the targets of the National Energy Demand Management Strategy 2050 and establishing a system of more efficient and sustainable government buildings, contributing to achieving a long-term environmental and economic impact.
