Etihad Water And Electricity Unveil Major Sustainability Initiatives At World Future Energy Summit 2025

The World Future Energy Summit (WFES) recently showcased a series of sustainability initiatives led by Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE), in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), RAK Municipality, and RAK Public Services Department. These initiatives align with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, aiming to enhance sustainability across Ras Al Khaimah.

These efforts are part of a broader strategy to cut electricity, water, and transportation fuel consumption significantly by 2030. The targets include a 30% reduction in electricity use and a 20% decrease in both water and fuel consumption. This comprehensive approach involves adopting best practices in green procurement.

EtihadWE has made significant strides by replacing around 42 kilometres of old pipelines with advanced technology like SmartBall and acoustic inspection tools. This upgrade is part of their commitment to improving infrastructure efficiency. Additionally, over 213,000 Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) smart meters have been installed for better resource management.

The expansion of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure is also underway. The UAEV joint initiative between MoEI and EtihadWE plans to install more than 120 fast chargers in Ras Al Khaimah over the next five years. By 2030, approximately 1,000 chargers will be available across various parts of the UAE.

Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, CEO of EtihadWE, highlighted the importance of these initiatives: "The directives from His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi reflect our shared commitment to a sustainable future." He emphasised that these efforts not only support environmental goals but also promote economic growth and community well-being.

Mozah Al Nuaimi from MoEI stated, "Integrating sustainability across the board is a key priority for the UAE." She noted that these initiatives would significantly reduce Ras Al Khaimah’s carbon footprint, aligning with the goal to reach net zero by 2050.

Financial Investments in Sustainability

The announced investments include AED465 million for water network rehabilitation in the Northern Emirates, with AED214 million specifically allocated for Ras Al Khaimah's network replacement. Additionally, more than AED180 million has been invested in smart meter projects within the emirate so far.

Andrea Di Gregorio from Ras Al Khaimah Municipality expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with EtihadWE: "We are happy to collaborate with EtihadWE to meet these ambitious targets." He mentioned that Amiri Resolution no. 18 of 2024 sets specific consumption reduction goals for government entities by 2030.

Strategic Initiatives for Resource Management

Raed Hills from the Public Service Department explained their strategic initiatives aimed at optimising resource management: "These initiatives include deploying smart technologies to monitor energy consumption." The department has implemented a comprehensive retrofit program and launched awareness campaigns promoting responsible resource use.

Etihad Water and Electricity showcased several projects at WFES that align with its theme. Highlights included the UAEV project, Distributed Solar System initiative with MoEI, Naqa'a Desalination Plant using high-efficiency reverse osmosis technology producing 150 million gallons daily, and Al Khuraijah Water Distribution Centre which won the Sharjah Sustainability Award 2024.

The collective efforts by various entities demonstrate a strong commitment towards achieving sustainability goals set forth by H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi. These initiatives not only aim at reducing resource consumption but also position Ras Al Khaimah as a leader in sustainable development within the region.

With inputs from WAM