Dubai Knowledge Village Reduces Energy Consumption by 1,904 MWh and Water Usage by 6.1 Million Gallons

Cluster’s Achievement Registered During First Half of 2009

Dubai: 12 August 2009 - Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV), the region’s premier destination for human resources management and a member of TECOM Investments, today announced it has successfully brought down its water consumption by 6.1 million gallons from January to June 2009 and energy usage by 1,904 MWh during the same period.

The cluster’s achievement was the outcome of a step-by-step exercise carried out jointly by TECOM Investments’ Sustainable Energy and Environment Division (SEED) and cluster’s Facility Management.  Amongst other measures, Dubai Knowledge Village retrofitted wash basins with ultra low flow restrictors to achieve a flow rate of 0.5 US gpm, a reduction of 80 per cent over the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) standards.

Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Executive Director, Dubai Knowledge Village, said:

As the region’s premier destination for human resources management, we recognize our responsibility to the community and the environment, for shaping a better and healthier future for new generations.

This initiative comes as part of our efforts to conserve the environment and mitigate air pollution. It is crucial that all members of our society understand the importance of not only minimizing the environmental damage but also decreasing our carbon footprint. The measures introduced across the cluster are a step in that direction.

Some of the other steps adopted by DKV to reduce its energy and water consumption include raising the air-conditioning temperature in the office area after office hours and during weekend holidays; turning off air conditioners and lights in the conference and meeting rooms during night and weekends; switching off the air handling units (AHUs) in the lobby area during holidays; resetting chilled water supply temperature to 9 degrees centigrade; switching off water heaters in gents and ladies toilet and turning off all water feature pumps during holidays. The cleaning crew has also been notified to turn off lighting in unoccupied areas after cleaning up.

In 2008, Dubai Knowledge Village launched a campaign with the support of SEED to phase out the use of halogen lamps throughout the DKV premises.

Over the last two years, TECOM Investments has taken a proactive approach to reducing its carbon footprint in the region. It recently earned the distinction of becoming the first-ever corporation in the Middle East to implement a Sustainable Development Policy, providing a comprehensive guideline for all TECOM buildings to reduce energy costs. Through its series of energy and water conservation and ongoing recycling programmes, TECOM further validates its commitment to endorsing green-friendly measures.

Notes to Editors

About Dubai Knowledge Village:

Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV), launched in 2003, places the Middle East on the map as a destination for learning excellence. Its 1 KM long picturesque campus provides a ready environment for a variety of knowledge-based entities including training centres and learning support entities.

This thriving knowledge community was founded as part of a long-term economic strategy to develop the region’s talent pool and accelerate its move into a knowledge-based economy. 

Benefits for Dubai Knowledge Village partners include 100% foreign ownership, 100% freedom from taxes, 100% repatriation of assets and profits and effortless visa issuance procedures. DKV enjoys the distinction of being the world’s only Free Zone totally focused on professional training and learning support services.

For further information, please call:

Zeba Ahmad
JiWiN
Tel:     +9714 361 3590 (direct)
+9714 361 3333 (switchboard)
Fax:    +9714 388 8001
e-mail: Zeba.Ahmad@jiwin.ae 

Or

Hammam Alyazji
JIWIN
Mob: +971 50 923 2100
Direct: +9714 3755877
e-mail: Hammam.Alyazji@jiwin.ae