Abu Dhabi: AED20m initiative unveiled to reduce electricity consumption in mosques

Abu Dhabi / WAM

Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) has signed a memorandum of understanding in collaboration with the General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments (Awqaf) to invest approximately AED20 million in a project that will optimise air conditioning (AC) equipment in 850 mosques, which equals 65% of the mosques in the Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra regions.
The signing follows the country’s strategy to conserve resources and rationalise consumption using the latest technology.
Through their collaboration, the project will reduce 20% of electricity consumption in these mosques, saving 26 gigawatt-hours of electricity and approximately 4,600 tonnes of CO2 annually – equivalent to taking more than 900
vehicles off the road for a year.
The initiative will contribute to Abu Dhabi’s Demand Side Management (DSM) and Energy Rationalisation Strategy, which aims to reduce overall electricity consumption by 22% and water consumption by 32% in the emirate by 2030.
Saeed Mohammad Al Suwaidi, Managing Director of ADDC, said, “Aligned with Abu Dhabi’s sustainability goals and the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, our collaboration with Awqaf encompasses a comprehensive approach to use energy more efficiently in Abu Dhabi mosques.
“It is a testament to these types of projects’ potential in dramatically increasing energy efficiency and reducing overall carbon footprint. With the right mix of expertise and innovation, ADDC will continue to develop initiatives to facilitate a more sustainable future.”
In response, Mohammed Saeed Al Neyadi, Director-General of Awqaf, stressed the authority’s eagerness to upgrade mosques in accordance with the commandments of Islam. This includes providing a clean and comfortable environment for worshippers, utilising the latest technology available to improve services, and instituting regulations that ensure the effective management of mosques.
As part of the agreement, ADDC will provide smart, programmable thermostats that can be monitored and controlled remotely to maintain optimal temperatures while keeping power consumption low and prolonging the life of the
air-conditioning equipment.
ADDC’s long-standing partnership with Awqaf has already helped reduce the volume of water used for ablution in more than 600 mosques. That partnership led to annual savings of approximately 700,000 cubic metres of water.