Dubai: The installation of additional power generators in huge buildings and landmark projects will become a must, according to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Shaikh Mohammad said that starting from today, contractors and companies carrying out these projects will have to install additional generators that are capable of ensuring that power is supplied throughout the day.
Shaikh Mohammad issued the orders during a visit yesterday (Tuesday) to the head office of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa).
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, and Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, were present. The orders came a day after electricity outage at Dubai Mall on Monday evening for about 90 minutes.
Shaikh Mohammad was given a detailed explanation by Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dewa, on the power cut that occurred in Dubai Mall on Monday.
Shaikh Mohammad was assured by Al Tayer that all power supply lines for vital facilities in Dubai were safe and functioning. Al Tayer pointed out that what happened was a technical emergency due to a high-capacity power supply line that serves Dubai Mall going out of service.
Al Tayer said that the authority had quickly dispatched to Dubai Mall all Dewa emergency teams, who were loaded with mobile power generators. He said that the teams were able to reach the mall in 20 minutes only, but were not able to deliver these power generators due to obstacles on the way to the basement where the power distribution stations were located.
Al Tayer said Dewa was able to fully restore power to the mall in 90 minutes thanks to the efforts exerted by the authority’s emergency teams.
Al Tayer emphasised that Dewa, starting today, will work on implementing the orders of Shaikh Mohammad on obligating real estate developers, companies and contractors to install backup generators in massive projects in Dubai. He added that Dewa will follow-up on these orders and directly supervise its implementation.
Meanwhile, some real estate developers who responded to Gulf News said they will abide by the new regulations.
“We welcome the directive of Shaikh Mohammad and will further strengthen our back-up power support. The backup power generators were fully functional meeting all essential services including elevators and emergency lights. They were also used for the operation of Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo,” spokesperson of Dubai Mall said in a statement on Tuesday.
Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman of Danube Group, said: “We at Danube Properties will comply fully with the orders and will be installing additional power generators at all eight projects under our portfolio. I strongly believe it is crucial to ensure that the supply of power is constant at all important landmarks and buildings in the city and developer should ensure the same.”
