RTA to switch off street lamps for Earth Hour

dubai — The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai will switch off 1,393 street lights as part of the global Earth Hour event on Saturday night.

The move is part of RTA’s keenness to play an active role in achieving sustainable development in Dubai and to cater to the needs of the civilised world as regards conserving the environment, according to Nasser Bu Shehab, CEO of RTA’s Strategy and Corporate Governance and chair of the Energy and Green Economy Committee.

Street lamps will be switched off from 8.30pm — 9.30pm along The Avenue Park, where 1,393 lights would be turned off to save about 382.95 kilowatts in one hour only in the Business Street and other streets near the venue of the event at the Business Bay, Al Saada Street and the Boulevard Street at Burj Khalifa downtown district.

Lights will also be turned off on Alexandria Street from the boat slipway at Mamzar to Mamzar Park, Khaleej Street from the Community Center for Elderly at Mamzar to Mamzar Park, Shindagha Heritage Area and the Jumeirah Beach Street, as well as Al Matina Street and Al Amal Street.

Lights and some air-conditioners will also be turned off at RTA’s Head Office, Public Transport Agency building in addition to Al Rawiyya and Al Khawaneej stations and Jebel Ali Bus Depot. The operation of several metro stations would switch to the maintenance mode, and lights would be switched off in Level 5 of Al Rashidiya Metro Station Parking and Ride terminal, as well as a number of buildings of the Dubai Taxi Corporation, and its employees’ accommodation.

“RTA’s effective participation in Earth Hour events is a testament to the priority placed on environmental sustainability. In 2013, RTA set up the Energy & Green Economy Committee, launched a fabulous award in this field in 2014, and motivated employees to contribute innovative ideas to support this drive,” noted BuShehab.