"Energy and infrastructure" / Qualitative achievements that consolidate the UAE’s leadership and enhance sustainability
Abu Dhabi, March 11, 2017 – The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure announced the achievement of a package of qualitative achievements within the framework of a comprehensive institutional transformation process that enhanced financial sustainability, accelerated the development of legislation, raised energy efficiency, and contributed to the development of the infrastructure, housing, and government services system in a way that consolidates the UAE’s competitiveness regionally and globally.
In the axis of financial sustainability, the Ministry implemented a business model to achieve self-sufficiency at the level of the operating budget during the period 2020-2025, as it established two companies with a goal of reaching 6 companies by the end of 2026. It also launched 15 projects in partnership with the private sector “PPP” with expected revenues exceeding 40 million dirhams by 2027, and signed 5 agreements with national banks to find alternative housing financing sources.
In the housing file, the Ministry created a business model for financing housing loans that contributed to closing 12,000 backlogged applications and reducing the government budget allocated to housing loans by 100% by financing it entirely in partnership with the private sector. The percentage of meeting housing needs also increased from 34% to 94%, and the percentage of citizens owning homes reached 91%, which reflects the effectiveness and sustainability of housing policies.
At the level of legislation and policies, the Ministry succeeded in accelerating the development of laws, as 5 new policies were introduced and developed and 4 accreditation certificates were issued during the past five years.
In the field of energy efficiency and demand management, the Ministry launched a national plan until 2050 that includes 34 initiatives and formed the National Team for Energy and Water Demand Management headed by the Undersecretary and the membership of 30 representatives from 28 entities in addition to 5 technical committees, while accelerating the implementation of 16 initiatives within five years in the sectors of buildings, transportation, industry and agriculture.
In the buildings axis, the first phase of the project to reduce energy and water consumption in federal government buildings was implemented, which includes 60 government buildings with investments amounting to 120 million dirhams, as part of a plan that extends to a second phase that includes 360 federal buildings at an estimated cost of one billion dirhams, and fully funded by the private sector.
The Ministry also promoted the shift towards sustainable transportation by establishing the Emirates Company for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (UAEV), to provide fast and advanced infrastructure for electric vehicles throughout the country.
As part of the government transformation, the Ministry moved from the dispersed services model to the “Government Packages” model, as it launched the “My Home” package in cooperation with 24 entities, which contributed to reducing the entities from 11 to one entity, reducing documents from 10 to two documents, procedures from 14 to 3 procedures, and the required fields from 32 to only 5 fields.
The maritime transport package also contributed to reducing customer effort by 97% and serving more than 38,000 commercial ships, in addition to launching the first digital center supported by modern technologies, which enhanced customer satisfaction and happiness levels.
His Excellency Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said that the achievements achieved by the Ministry during the last phase represent a true translation of the vision of the wise leadership, which established a government model based on proactiveness, efficiency, and effective partnership with the private sector. We have been keen to translate this vision into tangible results that enhance financial sustainability, advance the housing system, consolidate energy efficiency, and accelerate digital transformation, which reflects positively on the quality of life of citizens and residents, and supports the UAE’s competitiveness in Regional and global levels.
His Excellency expressed his aspiration during the next phase to build on what has been achieved, by expanding the scope of strategic partnerships, accelerating the implementation of national initiatives until the year 2050, and adopting innovative solutions that support the efficient use of resources and the shift towards a green and digital economy, pointing to continuing to work with the support and directives of our wise leadership to establish a flexible and sustainable government model that anticipates the future and keeps pace with the aspirations of the UAE society towards greater prosperity, stability and quality of life.
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