UAE: Expectations of a 5% annual growth in energy consumption

2015-08-20 2015-08-20T07:20:19Z

ArabiaWeather.com - A study by the management consulting firm, Strategy&, revealed that energy use in the UAE has increased at a rate of 4% annually over the past six years, with consumption expected to grow by 5% annually by 2020.

The study indicated that the UAE witnessed a double increase in the gross domestic consumption of energy during the past ten years, and it is expected that the growth will continue at faster rates during the next five years in light of the economic and population growth witnessed by the country.

The results of the study indicated that although the country witnessed the launch of many initiatives related to the efficiency of the energy sector, which include smart cities, building efficiency, and water consumption, the application of additional, more comprehensive procedures and policies can enhance the benefit from developing an integrated strategy for energy efficiency. Challenges cannot be faced in isolation from one another.

The study stated that the urban expansion of the Emirates is a reflection of the growth and development the country is witnessing, but it also poses several challenges. Last year, United Nations data indicated that 85% of the UAE population lives in urban areas, with expectations that the percentage will reach 91%. % by 2050, which necessitates the development of integrated plans for infrastructure, as an essential component of the comprehensive urban plan in the country.

Transportation is among the main important features of smart cities, especially with the rapid technological developments the sector is witnessing, as the UAE encourages the use of electric cars while establishing the necessary infrastructure for this category of vehicles.

And she indicated that the second factor affecting the efficiency of the energy sector is the development of building efficiency through the transition to green and sustainable facilities, while water consumption, along with desalination processes, are energy efficiency factors, as the annual per capita consumption of water in the UAE is 740 cubic meters, i.e. About 50% more than the global average, which is 500 cubic meters, and the energy used for seawater desalination constitutes approximately 30% of the total annual energy consumption in the country.

The study suggested developing a comprehensive strategy that combines sectors and value chains associated with them around a unified set of objectives, and defining a legislative framework to address challenges related to demand and market variables in order to change behavior patterns and enhance benefits as a second priority.

The study also recommended launching awareness campaigns and information dissemination, to display and embody the benefits of energy efficiency, and obtain the support of all relevant stakeholders, including consumers, as well as promoting research and development efforts as well as technologies dedicated to the reality of the region, which would create a favorable innovative environment that contributes to achieving Energy efficiency goals and economic support as well.