The construction work on the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) building, the first government facility to be built as per highest green building standards, is moving at a fast pace and will be completed soon, said senior officials.

Dewa CEO and MD Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer inspected the building at Al Quoz area of Dubai, which is dedicated for the department's water and civil division.

Al Tayer was accompanied by a team comprising Abdullah Obaidullah, the executive VP, Water and Civil division, and Mohammed Al Shamsi, the senior manger, Civil Engineering Projects, during the inspection.

“In line with the 'Green Economy for Sustainable Development' initiative announced by Sheikh Mohammed, we have constructed this building in accordance with the highest green building standards and features in the emirate,” remarked Al Tayer.

“This step is part of Dewa's commitment towards sustainability and conserving natural resources, and it is also a part of Dubai's strategic plan,” he added.

The new building, he sai, will be operated through the building management program, which can manage HVAC units in the facility in a way that allows electricity savings and automated control operations.

'The building also follows the standards of saving electricity and water, and has the ability to generate 600 KW of electricity using solar power. The facility is also equipped with high efficiency insulatives and smart building systems,' he stated.

'It also uses LED technology in lighting, which helps in saving 50 per cent of the energy used in order to protect environment as part of our commitment and responsibility towards society,' he added.

Located on Sheikh Zayed road, the building boasts of a total space of 340,000 sq ft, and consists of a basement, ground floor, and two floors. It also features a water testing laboratory and a parking lot for 350 vehicles.

'The building has been constructed at a site that enables an excellent use of existing infrastructure,' explained Al Tayer.

'It is situated near a metro station and enjoys high connectivity, and offers bicycle parking places enough for half of the building users, and 5 per cent of its parking places are designated for environmentally-friendly vehicles,' he explained.

'In addition, the building's sewage water is recycled thus taking the ratio of water saving to 45 per cent,' said Al Tayer.

'The building will be dedicated for the Water and Civil division, which consists of the departments of Water Operation, Maintenance, Projects, and Civil Engineering, in addition to a new center to control water networks (Scada),' he added.-TradeArabia New Service