UAE set to pull plug on bulbs and inefficient ACs

The UAE is planning to phase out incandescent lamps (bulbs) and inefficient air conditioners in a bold move to cut down energy consumption and carbon emissions, Emirates Business has learnt.

The country will first roll out a massive educational campaign, which will increase the awareness of how inefficient units add on to household and industrial costs.

Residents and investors would be able to know the efficient products by the stars and certificates accorded to them. Once demand for these energy-saving appliances picks up, the government will move to restrict the circulation of inefficient products and later on, remove them from the system by virtue of a federal law.

"ACs, which are not efficient, will not be traded in the UAE," said Mohamed Saleh Badri, Acting Director-General of Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (Esma).

"We are trying to get rid of low efficiency products to assist the economy of the UAE," he added.

"Energy-related companies such as Dewa, Adwea and others are losing in terms of energy costs. We have already co-ordinated with them and they have greatly welcomed the idea and are collaborating with us."

Badri said Esma is currently studying how many ACs in the UAE are in a bad or good shape in terms of energy efficiency.

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