Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO), a company owned by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA, has announced the installation of 144 photovoltaic, PV, solar panels, over the roof of DEWA’s Customer Happiness Centre in Hatta, as part of the Shams Dubai initiative.

This initiative aims to encourage building owners to install PV panels on their rooftops to generate electricity from solar power, and link it to DEWA’s network. The production capacity of the solar panels installed is about 37.5KW of electricity and produces about 56,900 KWh per year, contributing to a reduction of around 24 tonnes of carbon emissions per year, equivalent to planting 625 trees per year.

This contributes to the Hatta Comprehensive Development Plan, launched by Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, which includes several important initiatives and projects.

Also, as part of the Shams Dubai initiative, Etihad ESCO is designing and installing solar PV systems in 640 villas in Hatta, to be completed by the end of 2018.

"We are pleased to play a role in the development of Hatta. We are inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, which outlines the roadmap that guides our work, initiatives, and developmental projects to achieve the UAE Vision 2021. The UAE Government wants to ensure sustainable development while preserving the environment, and to achieve a perfect balance between economic and social development. This adheres to the directives of our wise leadership, to transform the UAE into one of the best countries in the world by 2021," said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA.

DEWA is also working to install smart metres in Hatta as per the latest international systems through its Smart Application via Smart Meter and Grid initiative, he added.