Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has taken steps to enforce the circular mandating of the installation of back-up power generators in major projects in Dubai.
In a statement, DEWA said that the committee it has formed to follow up on the circular, which implements the order of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has visited various sites across Dubai.
The order from HH Sheikh Mohammed was announced on 25 April, 2017, a day after a power outage occurred at Dubai Mall.
According to DEWA, the committee is tasked to provide technical support, follow up on work plans, and train specialised teams to deal with emergencies.
The new regulation requires around 1,100 real estate developers, consultants, contractors, government organisations, and major companies in the emirate to equip their projects with back-up generators.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive officer of DEWA, said: “In accordance with the order of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, DEWA formed a higher committee to follow up its implementation.
“A work plan was developed that include a number of procedures, such as providing mobile generators in all key areas to ensure speedy availability, following up with developers to install back-up generators in all new projects, and developing the necessary guidelines.”
He added: “The committee also coordinates with existing key buildings and facilities, including airports, hospitals, hotels, shopping malls, government buildings, and tourist facilities to ensure they have adequate backup generators.”
Al Tayer noted that the committee carried out a field survey of all key projects in Dubai to identify the loads and requirements in buildings and landmarks.
The circular was passed to ensure that buildings and landmarks have the necessary power in emergencies for public security and safety reasons.
According to DEWA, the capacity of the back-up generators should be sufficient to cover the basic requirements of the buildings. The generators must be properly maintained to ensure they work when needed, in an effective and timely manner, according to safety guidelines.
Buildings that the committee visited include Dubai Airports, Madinat Jumeirah, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Burj Al Arab, Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Battuta Mall, Emirates Towers, Dubai International Financial Center, Dragon Mall, Dubai Media City, and Dubai TV.
DEWA noted that the committee is working to cover other key buildings, and that some shopping malls have appointed consultants to study the mechanism for implementing the order and carry out the necessary requirements.