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Earth Hour 2022: Dubai saves 329mw of electricity

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Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) recorded savings of 329 megawatts (mw) in electricity consumption in the Emirate during Earth Hour 2022, equivalent to a reduction of 132 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. These savings are 13 per cent higher than the 291mw savings recorded during Earth Hour 2021. This year’s savings are the biggest since 2008 when Earth Hour was first observed in Dubai.

Dubai residents joined millions worldwide in expressing their solidarity with efforts to reduce climate changes by turning off unnecessary lights and electric appliances during Earth Hour between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Saturday, March 26, 2022. This year’s Earth Hour was held under the theme ‘Shape Our Future’. Dubai’s landmarks and government and private buildings also took part in the event by turning off their lights for an hour.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa, commended everyone who took part in the Earth Hour, emphasising that the goal goes beyond just turning off unnecessary lights and electric appliances for 60 minutes. Earth Hour aims to make electricity and water conservation a daily practice to cut carbon emissions and combat environmental challenges such as climate change and global warming.

“At Dewa, we work in line with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy, which aims to provide 100 per cent of Dubai’s total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050. We also raise awareness among society members on the importance of conservation and highlight sustainability practices that positively impact climate action. The results achieved during Earth Hour in Dubai every year underline the key role of society members in conservation and reduction of carbon footprint. The goal of Earth Hour is to encourage society members to adopt a conscious and responsible lifestyle to support national efforts to limit carbon emissions and protect natural resources to ensure their sustainability for generations to come,” said Al Tayer.
Khawla Al Mehairi, executive vice president of Strategy and Government Communications at Dew, said that Earth Hour is one of the most significant environmental initiatives that millions worldwide observe by turning off unnecessary lights, including key landmarks, from 8.30pm–9.30pm on the last Saturday of March. It highlights the importance of strict measures to combat Earth’s challenges, such as climate change and global warming. Dubai was the first Arab city to host Earth Hour activities in 2008.

Dewa’s buildings participated in Earth Hour by turning off unnecessary lights from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. This included Dewa’s pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, which also organised various activities, including traditional performances by the Emirati Al Harbiya band. Dewa’s conservation mascots, Noor and Hayat, also participated in the Earth Hour Switch-Off Parade at Expo 2020 Dubai. Additionally, Dewa organised Earth Hour competitions through its social media accounts, with valuable gifts for the participants.

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Abu Dhabi: New parking fees, toll gates get renamed

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Paid parking has officially been rolled out in new sectors of Musaffah, as Q Mobility activates Phase 2 of its smart parking expansion plan.

Under the oversight of the Integrated Transport Centre, part of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, the move aims to ease congestion, improve traffic flow, and streamline urban mobility.

New paid parking zones in Musaffah

Sectors now covered include:

  • M7, M8, M9, M14, M15
  • Over 10,000 parking spaces activated
  • Dedicated bays for People of Determination

Parking fees & easy payment options

  • Standard parking: Dh2 per hour
  • Pay via:
    • Darb
    • TAMM
    • SMS & parking machines

Musaffah, a key industrial and commercial hub, faces heavy daily traffic. The new system is designed to:

  • Reduce parking chaos
  • Improve vehicle movement
  • Support safer roads
  • Enhance business accessibility

Authorities urge drivers to follow parking rules and use official payment channels to avoid fines.

Abu Dhabi renames toll gates

Meanwhile, drivers in Abu Dhabi will now notice clearer, location-based names for toll gates, as authorities rename all four Darb toll system gates to improve navigation across the capital.

The update is part of efforts to simplify road travel and help motorists better identify routes without confusion.

Renamed gates:

  • Al Maqta Toll Gate – on Al Maqta Bridge
  • Rabdan Toll Gate – on Musaffah Bridge
  • Sas Al Nakhl Toll Gate – on Sheikh Zayed Bridge
  • Al Saadiyat Toll Gate – on Sheikh Khalifa Bridge

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Find cheapest groceries in UAE with new price comparison tool

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In a move set to make everyday shopping easier, the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has introduced a new digital tool that lets residents compare prices of essential goods across major retailers.

Called the Essential Goods Prices Platform, the initiative is designed to boost transparency and help shoppers find the best deals on daily essentials.

What you can check

The platform covers more than 30 essential items in its first phase, including:

  • Cooking oils, rice, sugar, and bread
  • Eggs, dairy products, meat, poultry, and fish
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables

It gives users a clear snapshot of price ranges across supermarkets, making it easier to spot where your money goes further.

How it works

  • Prices are updated daily from major retailers
  • Users can compare minimum and maximum prices
  • Track differences between stores and locations
  • Build a custom shopping basket to find the cheapest option

It’s essentially like having a real-time price comparison tool before you even step into a store.

With the cost of living always a concern, this platform puts more control directly in the hands of consumers.

It helps:

  • Save money on weekly groceries
  • Promote fair competition among retailers
  • Prevent unjustified price increases

By making pricing more transparent, the UAE is aiming to protect consumer spending while keeping the retail market balanced.

This launch builds on ongoing efforts by the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism to monitor essential goods and ensure price stability.

Now, instead of that data staying behind the scenes, it’s being shared openly, giving residents the power to make smarter, more informed shopping decisions.


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Massive road upgrade in Dubai: Hessa Street expansion now open

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In a major boost to Dubai’s road network, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has officially opened a key stretch of the Hessa Street Development Project, transforming one of the city’s busiest corridors.

The newly completed 4.5 km section connects Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Khail Road, with the road now expanded to four lanes in each direction, significantly easing congestion.

Faster commutes, smoother traffic

The upgrade is expected to dramatically improve daily travel:

  • Journey time reduced from 15 minutes to just 4 minutes
  • Road capacity doubled from 8,000 to 16,000 vehicles per hour

Major junctions upgraded include:

  • Al Asayel Street
  • First Al Khail Street
  • Key interchanges at Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road

What’s new on Hessa Street

The project introduces several infrastructure enhancements:

  • New slip road above the Dubai Metro Red Line
  • Widened bridges at major intersections
  • Direct links towards Sharjah and Deira via Al Khail Road

These upgrades are designed to streamline traffic flow and reduce bottlenecks across the corridor.

Supporting Dubai’s growing communities

According to Mattar Al Tayer, the project supports rapid urban expansion across key residential areas like Al Sufouh 2, Al Barsha, and Jumeirah Village Circle.

The population served is expected to exceed 640,000 by 2030, highlighting the importance of this upgrade.

What’s next

Phase Two is already underway, extending the project from Al Khail Road to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.

Once complete, it will:

  • Cut travel time from 24 minutes to 5 minutes
  • Serve around 650,000 residents across 10 communities
  • Further expand road capacity

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