The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) has signed a Unified Framework Agreement (UFA) with Abu Dhabi Energy Services (ADES) for enhanced cooperation in a number of key areas, including environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and rationalising water and electricity consumption.
The agreement will strengthen collaboration across knowledge exchange, environmental studies, and the exchange of information on building rehabilitation. It was shared that the overarching aim of this is to enhance energy efficiency, rationalise water and electricity consumption in the Chamber’s buildings, and monitor and audit current consumption levels of electrical energy. It will also see the development of a comprehensive improvement plan and the application of sustainable technological systems and innovations in the sector.
ADES shared that it aims to achieve the maximum levels of energy efficiency in government and private buildings by improving and replacing existing equipment and performing periodic maintenance, which contributes to reducing overall energy consumption by around 25-40 per cent.
The UFA was recently approved by the Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi in coordination with the Department of Finance – Abu Dhabi and integrates the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Demand Side Management and Energy Rationalization (DSM) Strategy 2030, which it said signals the commencement of the Government Buildings Retrofits Program.
ADES, a subsidiary of TAQA Group, signed the agreement with the Abu Dhabi Chamber on the sidelines of the ‘Sustainable Buildings & RetrofitTech Summit’ in Abu Dhabi.
His Excellency Ahmed Khalifa Al Qubaisi, CEO of ADCCI, said that the partnership agreement aligns with the directives of both the Abu Dhabi Chamber and ADES to maintain a sustainable environment at the local level.
“It’s also consistent with the government’s tireless efforts to improve energy management and improve efficiency through the optimal use of resources and rationalizing water and electricity consumption in the Emirate, in a way that contributes to meeting the objectives of the Abu Dhabi DSM & Energy Rationalization Strategy 2030, and achieving the aspirations of the UAE Net Zero 2050 strategy,” he added.
Meanwhile, Khalid Mohammed Al Qubaisi, CEO of the ADES, commented: “The announcement of the UFA with the Abu Dhabi Chamber is the culmination of united efforts, reflecting our joint commitment to achieving the goals of environmental sustainability and improving energy efficiency in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.”
He added: “By retrofitting the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s buildings, we will be able to achieve tangible savings in energy and water consumption, which contributes to enhancing the optimal management of resources and reducing the carbon footprint in the buildings included in the agreement. We are confident that this partnership will contribute to achieving the goals of the Abu Dhabi DSM & Energy Rationalization Strategy 2030 and the aspirations of the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy”.
It was noted that ADES is mandated with retrofitting buildings in the government and private sectors in Abu Dhabi. It also helps building owners improve their buildings’ infrastructure and reduce consumption by using the savings resulting from future water and electricity bills to finance efficiency improvement projects in buildings.