Dubai goes green: 500 villas now producing own electricity

About 500 villas in Dubai have started producing their own electricity, marking the on-ground switch to green electricity.

Dubai-based Sustainable City has announced that the villas are now successfully producing clean and sustainable energy using 'Solar Power Panels'.

The Sustainable City is, therefore, the first residential project in Dubai to produce clean energy for over 500 villas, which are spread out over five residential clusters, and which comprise of many amenities.

The beginning of clean energy production is part of wider efforts the project has taken to ensure a fully sustainable lifestyle for the 100 plus families that are already in residence.

"We have already installed 12 per cent of a total of 40,000 solar panels, which are distributed on villas throughout the residential complex, and which will produce up to 10 megawatts of power at maximum capacity," said Anwar Zebn, CEO of City Solar, the main contractor for all energy production at The Sustainable City.

"Energy production will reach 1.2 MW, with surplus energy stored in Dewa's Grid, to be later drawn upon to operate more than 200 villas with clean renewable energy. The energy produced hourly per year will be equivalent to 2,000MW, which will contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions by a thousand tonnes per year," he said.

The city's project is in line with The Dubai Clean Energy Strategy, which aims to provide 7 per cent of Dubai's energy from clean energy sources by 2020. It will later increase this target to 25 per cent by 2030 and 75 per cent by 2050.

"The smart design of the villa along with the application of energy-saving solutions, such as insulating materials, solar water heaters, and energy-saving home appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and lightings, will all contribute to reduce the energy consumption to 50 per cent in each villa," Zebn said.

The Sustainable City integrates different sustainable solutions that include separating grey and black water, and recycling grey water for community irrigation. In addition, the city is also preparing to inaugurate the city's mosque and community mall, which will provide retail outlets, as well as medical and social outlets.

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