GCC to spend $252 Billion on energy over next 5 years

Pushing better energy models has been a stalwart of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in recent years. Now, the GCC is looking to continue that effort by spending some $252 billion over the next five years to increase energy production.

Among the projects on tap are new power production plants, distribution systems and supply grids, the Emirates official news agency WAM reported.

In its report it said that “in the United Arab Emriates (UAE), Shams 1 will be one of the world’s largest concentrated solar power plants, with a capacity of 100 megawatts.”

It comes as the GCC continues to suffer rising energy bills and higher infrastructure costs, but the new investments are aimed also at looking at alternative energy sources, including green technology.

Energy-efficient projects, including new lighting systems – 19 percent of all electricity worldwide comes from lighting – and design will be invested in by the GCC.

Epoc Messe Frankfurt, organizers of Light Middle East 2011, the key regional trade platform for lighting design and technology, have reported considerable interest in the energy and cost-saving potential of modern lighting systems.

“With energy becoming ever more expensive, there is huge interest in the cost-reduction potential afforded by new technology,” said Ahmed Pauwels, Chief Executive Officer of Epoc Messe Frankfurt.

“And it is not just the high costs — there is also increasing awareness on the environmental effects of climate change,” he said.

“It is predicted that the use of energy efficient lighting solutions — all of which already exist today, but are not widely implemented — could save an average of 40 percent per year in terms of CO2 emissions and in energy costs,” Pauwels stated.

The New York headquarters of Mutual of America has obtained the LEED Gold (EB-OM) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Mutual of America is an expert in offering retirement products and connected services to organizations and their staff and also to individuals and provides ideas to help build resources that provide an economically secure future.

The Mutual of America structure extending over 750,000 sq. ft. has satisfied all the LEED Existing Building or Operations and Maintenance stipulations. The USGBC identified the efforts in making the building green compliant and ecologically friendly and also recognized its excellent design.

The 35-floor structure was rebuilt in 1995 by Swanke Hayden Connell Architects and Turner Construction and its functioning is managed by Jones Lang LaSalle for Mutual of America. Vital improvements to the structure comprise executing power-saving measures inclusive of LED light retrofit at the lobby and energy-efficient roof lighting with power-saving fittings and bulbs, and 31% decrease in water usage when compared to standard usage

Mutual of America has always been dedicated to providing sustainability. Its headquarters was the first structure in New York City to get LEED Silver EB 2.0 certification during April 2009. It has also obtained the Energy Star award in 9 out of the last 10 years.

According to Thomas J Moran, Chairman, CEO and President of Mutual of America, the organization is proud that USGBC identified its dedication to maintaining the earth’s natural wealth. He added that winning the LEED Gold is one more acknowledgement of the organization’s unceasing efforts to generate creative means of safeguarding the surroundings.