Abu Dhabi Capital District Strategic Energy Plan

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

“The UAE has almost the highest rate of energy consumption per person in the world. If we continue at the current rate, the demand for energy will simply exceed the supply. At the same time, our consumption of energy adds to the worldwide problem of global warming. Clearly, we need to do something to prevent this.”

– Heroes of the UAE

The Capital District Master Plan, developed by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, was designed to manage the development of the new city through a long term vision. It represents a unique opportunity to create an authentic sustainable modern Arab capital, which will shape the future of the region by defining a unique and contemporary urbanism.

In 2010, CH2MHILL in collaboration with Life Architecture + Planning, was commissioned to provide guidance, recommendations and benchmarks for sustainability and energy for the Capital District Master Plan, via a fully comprehensive strategic “Resourceful Energy Plan”.

Resourceful Energy plays a vital role in the health of Abu Dhabi Capital District economy and environment.

This Resourceful Energy Plan (REP or Plan) proposed a road map to guide new development toward a responsible energy future with adequate, reliable energy supplies that are both environmentally responsible and competitively priced.

Creating this future will require not only long-term actions, but also immediate investments that will help define energy costs in the long term, create jobs, encourage energy technology, integration and management as part of the local economy and establish resourceful energy as a not only a necessity, but a lifestyle choice for the Abu Dhabi’s Capital District.

Defining a resourceful energy future began with the strong vision and leadership exemplified by the late Sheikh Zayad bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founder of the United Arab Emirates and HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, who together created the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, the expert Authority behind the visionary Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan. Using this Framework, the REP became the next logical step to place the Capital District, along with its neighbor Masdar, at the forefront of Abu Dhabi’s growing resourceful energy economy by advancing energy efficiency, renewable energy goals and action items established in the 2009 Estidama Pearls Design System Rating Method. As projects get implemented, REP guidelines will help create an energy environment that is reliable, environmentally responsible, with stable energy prices and a reduction in overall energy expenditures for all consumer classes, thereby strengthening the economic growth of the entire Capital District.

The key objectives of the Resourceful Energy Plan (REP) were to minimize the aggregate annual energy budget for the entire city through reduced consumption, integrated renewable energy systems, while maintaining comfortable indoor conditions and minimizing adverse effect on outdoor climate and air quality.

Reduce Masterplan energy demand by 20% through the use of design best practices, technology, and community education and involvement.
Identify feasible ways to supply 10% of the energy demand with renewable energy sources.
Identify proven and emerging technology to meet both the energy demand reduction goals and renewable energy goals.
Incorporate green planning and building design standards based on international best practice.

The REP provided the “next- level” of planning, design and technical engineering information for advancing the energy goals of the AD Capital District 2030 Plan towards further refinement and implementation. The REP will be used by the UPC, future project developers and design consultants to understand the energy benchmarks and baselines, and recommended design strategies to help realize the vision of the master plan.