Power consumption and carbon dioxide emissions in Dubai‘‘s hotels are outpacing those of their counterparts in other countries, according to a study.

Gulf News reports that the study, undertaken by Dubai-based facilities management firm Farnek Avireal, highlighted the growing problem of energy wastage in the UAE and across the region.

It also underlined previous projections that due to high energy consumption, the UAE will experience shortages of approximately 35 per cent by 2012.

Bahrain will experience the same by 2013 and Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia by 2010.

Huge concern

"At present, there is a huge concern on how to combat the shortfalls projected," Septech vice-president of corporate development Ashruf Kamel earlier said.

According to Avireal‘‘s study, Dubai‘‘s hotels consume an average of 275 to 325 kilowatt-hours (kwh) of power for every guest, while a similar hotel in Germany consumes only about 100 kwh for each guest, a difference of 225 per cent. It also shows that a five-star hotel in Dubai emits 6,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, while a similar hotel in Europe produces barely half, or 3,000 tonnes, annually. "The combined output of Co2 from Dubai‘‘s 300 hotels is approximately 500,000 kg," said Markus Avireal, the company‘‘s general manager.

The study says energy wastage is indeed a big problem in the UAE, but companies can "reduce energy consumption and achieve substantial cost savings with energy efficient cooling systems".

"We estimate that hotels can save 25 to 30 per cent of the current energy consumption by using energy efficient technology," Avireal said.

"This technology is particularly useful for properties in hot climates, where cooling systems are operated throughout most of the year and at high capacity during the summer months. And the potential energy savings apply to any type of building, from residential and commercial complexes to shopping centres, hotels and hospitals," he added.

Hot topics

Agata Pawlik, project manager of Streamline Marketing Group, said energy and waste management are hot topics in the facilities management industry that will be taken up during the FM Expo from June 8 to 10 in Dubai.

"The ongoing construction boom presents enormous opportunities for companies who specialise in total facilities management and this year‘‘s FM Expo will highlight the growth areas within the market," Pawlik said. Streamline is the event‘‘s organiser.