More than 250 retrofit tech industry stakeholders and experts are in Dubai to showcase some of the latest innovation and retrofit technology, being introduced to the Middle East market and shed light on more retrofit project opportunities across the emirate, at an ongoing industry event.

The two-day Annual RetrofitTech Dubai Summit and Awards, being jointly organised by Etihad Energy Service Company (Etihad Esco) and Taqati - the dedicated programme management office for the Dubai Demand Side Management (DSM) strategy, in Dubai - will assess progress of retrofit adoption and discuss future financing models and regulative frameworks.

This comes as part of Etihad Esco's collective efforts to make Dubai a leading example of energy efficiency for the region and the world.

On the opening day (April 10), the summit witnessed major industry players discuss, debate and identify innovative ways to add value to the retrofitting initiatives undertaken by public and private entities across the UAE and the region.

The forum, which concludes today, will also evaluate the progress made in driving the adoption of retrofit programmes and provide an update on the retrofitting projects being implemented across the UAE.

Latest project opportunities to retrofit government buildings, as well as buildings in commercial, retail, hospitality, healthcare, education and industrial sectors, will be showcased. Furthermore, the event will turn the spotlight on future financing models, regulatory frameworks and requirements, said the statement from Etihad Esco.

The Emirati firm is gearing up to implement Dh400 million ($109 million) worth of projects, branching out beyond building retrofits into industrial retrofits and solar power projects as part of its ambitious plan to retrofit 30,000 buildings by 2030.  

These include improving the performance of the facilities owned by Dubai Police, Islamic Affairs, Dry Docks, DXB & DWC Airport (Phase II), said a top official.

"The building sector has the biggest potential to mitigate the impact of climate change in both developed and developing countries, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. Etihad Esco is proud to spearhead Dubai’s transformation into one of the most sustainable cities in the world by driving wide-spread adoption of energy efficient practices including building retrofits," remarked its CEO Ali Al Jassim.

As one of the keynote speakers at the event, Al Jassim elaborated on the achievements, key highlights and success of retrofit programmes led by the company in Dubai.

In addition, he also took part in a panel discussion titled ‘Financing Retrofit Projects in the UAE.’

Aref Abou Zahr, the executive director at Taqati, delivered a presentation on ‘Preparing for the Future of the Energy Efficiency Triad’ and also took part in a panel discussion titled ‘Exploring Additional Benefits for Retrofitted Buildings’ yesterday (April 10).

Retrofitting, he stated, was a key requirement to substantially reduce the energy footprint of the existing building stock in line with the Dubai DSM Strategy.

"We are targeting the retrofit of 30,000 buildings by 2030 and with the government sector leading by example on the adoption of retrofit projects across Dubai, we are optimistic that more private and public entities will follow suit," added Abou Zahr.-TradeArabia News Service