(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Dewa ceo saeed al tayer says the authority would instead aim to encourage behavioural changes through education and promote efficiency
Despite excessive consumption of electricity and water the dubai electricity and water authority (dewa) will not hike tariffs to reduce consumption.
Dewa ceo saeed al tayer told khaleej times the authority would instead aim to encourage behavioural changes through education: “we are not looking into (removing) subsidies we are looking to educate and promote efficiency.”
Al tayer was speaking after a press conference to promote the world green economy summit to be hosted by dubai this month. he will chair the summit the first such event in the region.
A united nations environment programme report in december says the uae is the third highest consumer of water per capita while the world bank places it as the 14th highest global user of electricity per capita as per 2011 data.
Conservationists suggest removing subsidies to reduce consumption. however al tayer said the “slab tariff” implemented by dewa in 2011 — charging people incrementally higher rates the more water and electricity they use — was enough.
“when you have fixed (rates) it means you encourage people to waste energy. if they use (more) they have to pay more; it’s up to them.”
Al tayer said the uae was leading the world in terms of efficient infrastructure and transmission with the world’s most efficient power plant in dubai. the line loss of electricity was just 3.5 per cent — lower than most developed nations.
The summit is part of the aim for a “clear strategy” to become a world leader in the green economy.
“we need to bring this consumption down. we need a clear strategy (to do that)” al tayer said. “green economy doesn’t mean only power consumption it means production efficiency appliances.”
Dewa executive vice-president of strategy and business development waleed salman vowed the country would become the lowest carbon emitter in the world.
The april 15-16 summit under the patronage of his highness shaikh mohammed bin rashid al maktoum vice-president and prime minister of the uae and ruler of dubai is set to attract top ministers business leaders and ngos from up to 45 countries. hosted by dewa the dubai supreme council of energy and world climate ltd (wcl) it will have five focal points.
According to wcl ceo jens nielsen surveys showed if the world was to become greener youth and women would have to be drivers of change.
Amanda?khaleejtimes.com
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