list

Taking control
of energy use
Four things your business needs to
know about energy management

W r i t t e n b y : S A L M A N Z A FA R , F O U N D E R , E C O M E N A
W W W. E C O M E N A . O R G
 list T a k i n g c o n t r o l o f e n e r g y u se

1
Effective energy management is essential
for businesses in the Middle East.
During the past decade or two, the Middle
East has been witnessing a rapid increase
in energy consumption due to a high
degree of industrialisation, high standards
of living and an exponential increase in
population. In fact, the level of primary
energy consumption in the Middle East
is among the highest worldwide. These
factors have made businesses in the
Middle East realise that effective energy
management is not only good for them,
but is also an essential requirement.
In recent years, many businesses have
come up with dynamic strategies to
achieve an immediate reduction in energy
consumption. This trend towards effective
energy management is expected to continue
to grow in the region in the coming years.

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2 A successful energy management strategy

needs the support of every employee.
For an energy management plan to succeed, the
entire organisation, including its employees and
management team, should be committed to its
implementation. The strategy should include:
Goal-setting: how much energy
reduction do you want to achieve?
Number-crunching: how much energy
do you actually consume?
Identifying energy-guzzlers: what are the major
consumption units in your business, and what
measures can be taken to reduceconsumption.
Technology and automation: smart metering,
schedule-based lighting, occupancy sensors, HVAC
control and latest technological innovation can
provide an active approach to energy management.
Continuous review and management: regular
performance monitoring is essential to check the
progress towards your energy-saving goals.

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3 Businesses in the Middle East

face specific challenges when
working to reduce their energy
consumption
A lack of incentives to reduce energy
consumption is a major hurdle faced
by businesses in the Middle East. In
the GCC region, electricity is usually
provided at heavily subsidised rates
which fail to provide the motivation
to the consumer to reduce energy
consumption. Most of the commercial
buildings in the Middle East consume
huge amounts of energy in the form
of HVAC, lighting, ventilation etc.,
and there is a real need to make
such buildings energy smart in
the realest sense of the term.

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4 Technology is at the heart of

energy management.
Technology plays a vital role in
reducing energy consumption
as energy savings are not limited
to power consumption by HVAC,
lighting or ventilation, but also
encompass optimisation of energy
use, building infrastructure, supply
chain networks, product design
and transportation networks.
Businesses in the Middle East may
strive for energy-smart buildings,
smart grid systems and renewable
energy sources (like rooptop solar
and biogas systems) to improve their
long-term sustainability and realise
more effective cost-management.

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