Energy-efficient solutions valued for reducing costs in real estate projects

AMMAN -- Investors are finding energy-efficient solutions in buildings and various other premises to be advantageous in reducing costs and minimising energy consumption.

According to Nedal Zatari, general manager of Energy Service Company, an energy management services (EMS) firm in the country, increased cost of energy is one of the major challenges facing investors following the real estate boom in the region.

"The availability of advanced energy-efficient solutions has attracted real estate investors to the Kingdom, at a time when energy costs are rising in the country," experts said.

They added that new investment laws have helped attract several hundred million dollars of funds to the real estate, maintenance and property development sectors, resulting in the construction of new towers and luxurious residential complexes.

Zatari said: "Studies have shown that energy consumption in the country was approximately JD1.15 billion in 2004 and demand during the next decade is expected to be around 2,400 megawatts, costing approximately JD4.2 billion."

As such, he underlined the importance of increasing public-private partnerships to formulate a national strategy to reduce energy consumption."

The general manager highlighted the energy efficient systems for reducing overhead costs of projects stressing the use of natural resources to reduce energy consumption.

Such systems are also capable of saving energy even in existing buildings besides significantly reducing the capital cost of the project.

The EMS has been involved in conducting studies on the national and regional scale in the field of renewable energy resources, the implementation of energy saving systems in streetlighting, water pumping stations and for electricity generation.

Zatari pointed out that his company is cooperating with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources by organising various activities and conferences to raise awareness and train engineers in the field of energy saving.

"The company has also signed a contract with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation and the Ministry of Public Works and Housing to conduct studies on buildings in order to implement energy and water management systems there."

Yasin Hisban, from the Department of Building Studies, stressed that the studies conducted by the Ministry of Public Works in cooperation with EMS have proved that energy saving systems are capable of saving millions of dollars in energy bills in government departments and buildings.

He also called upon increasing public-private partnership to widen the adoption of energy efficient systems and make these systems part of the building codes requirements and specifications for commercial complexes and residential buildings.