Dubai: In a bid to encourage residents to reduce their use of water and electricity during peak hours, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has launched its ‘Change begins with us’ campaign. The annual campaign aims to raise awareness about environmental issues and help to conserve natural resources, protect the environment and reduce the emirate’s carbon footprint.

The campaign urges individuals to limit using appliances that consume a lot of electricity, such as irons, washing and dryer machines, dishwashers, water heaters, and electric ovens during peak-load hours from 12-6pm. Dewa encourages the public to use them in the morning or evening whenever possible to reduce pressure on the electricity network.

Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dewa, said: “Dewa works to achieve the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 to reduce energy demand by 30 per cent by 2030. This annual campaign supports our continuous efforts to establish the foundations of environmental sustainability and support the sustainable development of Dubai. This is done by using electricity, water, and natural resources sensibly, and encouraging residents to adopt a conscious and responsible lifestyle to ensure sustainability of resources, for generations to come.”

“Reducing electricity use during peak-load hours contributes to improving the efficiency and reliability of the transmission and distribution networks and helps reduce the amount of fuel needed to produce energy. This supports our efforts to reduce the emirate’s footprint and enhance the happiness and well-being of residents and provides an ideal and healthy environment to live in,” added Al Tayer.

The campaign has achieved remarkable success and was well-received by the emirate’s residents. A survey conducted by Dewa last year stated that 94 per cent of participants liked the campaign, and 93 per cent said they were ready and willing to implement it in their homes and workplaces.

Dewa has called on customers to complete its Demand Response Programme survey on the link https://e-services.dewa.gov.ae/peakload

The survey, in English and Arabic, can be accessed from Dewa’s website www.dewa.gov.ae. Public feedback will help Dewa develop recommendations and future plans to improve performance of the power network. This supports its strategy to provide electricity and water in Dubai according to the highest environmental standards to ensure a sustainable future.

During Ramadan, Dewa promoted the peak-load campaign at different government departments, shopping malls, and mosques to inform the public about the importance of reducing energy use during peak-load hours. The campaign continues in a number of organisations such as the Ministry of Social Affairs, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department until the end of August.