Day: August 8, 2022

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ENOC Group opens new compact station in Umm Al Qaiwain

DUBAI, ENOC Group today announced the opening of a new compact service station in Al Salamah 1, Umm Al Qaiwain, making it the second service station in the Emirate.

The expansion is part of the Group’s long-term strategic plan to strengthen its retail presence across the UAE.

Spread across 18,800 square feet, the new compact station is strategically located on the west side of the residential clusters of the Al Salamah district and will cater to the traffic from Umm Al Qaiwain – Al Shuwaib Road, as well as the E11 – Al Ittihad Road. Moreover, the new compact station is close to the Sharjah border, offering convenient access to commuters between the two emirates.

Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO of ENOC, said, The launch of a new service station in Umm Al Qaiwain reinforces our ambition to invest in the country’s growing infrastructure to meet both short-term and long-term fuel needs. The opening of this service station at such a strategic location underlines our ongoing commitment to providing customers with best in-class services and easy access to fuel.”

The compact station is equipped with two dispensers, special 95, Super 98 and Diesel, and an Electric Vehicle charging station. With a capacity of 45,400L, ENOC will be able to fuel 400 vehicles per day.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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Dubai Airports Security Department receives 7-star Rating in IBPC 2022

DUBAI, The General Department of Airports Security at Dubai Police, represented by the Security Department of Terminal 3, has recently received a 7-Star rating in the 8th International Best Practice Competition (IBPC) 2022 for effectively and efficiently implementing Dubai Airport’s ‘XOVIS’ project for passenger inspection.

The Department’s profile competed against 60 cases from eight countries that joined the competition, which is organised by the Institutional Excellence Research Centre in New Zealand.

Brigadier Hamouda Bal Suwaida Al Ameri, Acting Director of the General Department of Airports Security at Dubai Police, attributed the prestigious recognition to the wise directives of Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police; and the continuous support of Pilot Major General Ahmad Muhammad bin Thani, Assistant Commandant for Ports Affairs.

He added, “Project’ XOVIS’, which is implemented in coordination with Dubai Airports (DXB) and Emirates Airlines, optimises thermal sensors to ensure the smoothness of passengers’ inspection process at security checkpoints and finalises their procedures in less than five minutes,” “The Project succeeded in achieving 99.81 percent during 2021 when the target was 95 percent.”

Brig. Al Ameri explained that the thermal sensors provide instant data on passengers’ traffic flow so that airport operators take quick measures by operating more devices and checkpoints and increasing the number of employees.

The International Best Practice Competition (IBPC) encourages organisations to share their best operational and managerial practices, processes, systems, and initiatives and learn from the experience of others.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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EOCN organises workshop to prepare national assessment on risks of financing weapons proliferation

DUBAI, The Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation (EOCN) held the first workshop to develop the national assessment on the risks of financing the proliferation of weapons. The workshop acquainted participants with the national assessment, which will be prepared in line with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations and UNSC resolutions on money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation.

The workshop also raised participants’ awareness of the objectives, scope, and methodology of the national assessment and informed the relevant entities on the required inputs to prepare the report.

In the three-day workshop, experts and specialists explained the risks of financing weapons proliferation and ways to identify threats and weaknesses, particularly those related to non-compliance with targeted financial sanctions and sanctions evasion.

The workshop was attended by representatives of customs authorities, regulators, customs brokers and shipping agents, as well as local registrants, the UAE Banks Federation, law enforcement, investigators, and prosecutors.

Since its establishment in 2009, EOCN has played an active role in strengthening export controls and reducing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and its associated technology based on policies, legislation, and domestic and international partnerships. EOCN is now the competent body entrusted with implementing the provisions of Federal Decree Law No. (43) of 2021 on the Commodities Subject to Non-Proliferation.

EOCN, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other government entities, is also working to follow up on the implementation of UNSC resolutions concerning weapons proliferation and terrorism financing. This is in addition to coordinating and supervising the application of targeted financial sanctions relating to the terrorist list system.

Moreover, EOCN serves as the technical point of contact to follow up on the UAE’s obligations under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, reflecting the UAE Government’s aim to maintain global security and stability in cooperation with international partners to ensure a world free of weapons of mass destruction.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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British University in Dubai achieves global quality accreditation

DUBAI, The British University in Dubai (BUiD) achieved global quality accreditation through the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), the UK’s independent quality body and a global leader in quality assurance for higher education.

The University has obtained global accreditation having successfully completed QAA’s International Quality Review (IQR). IQR is a rigorous process which benchmarks global higher education institutions against international quality assurance standards set out in Part 1 of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).

The review took place online between 23rd and 26th May, 2022, and was carried out by a team of three independent reviewers appointed by QAA. The review team confirmed that the University meets all ten of the internal quality assurance standards in the ESG.

Professor Abdullah Alshamsi, Vice-Chancellor, BUiD, said, “We are delighted to have completed the QAA’s International Quality Review successfully. As the leading research university in the region, we take the quality of our learning and teaching very seriously. We are proud that the review team selected as good practice initiatives we have put in place at BUiD to ensure we continue to develop as a university model for high standards of quality.”

Vicki Stott, Chief Executive Officer, QAA, commented, “Huge congratulations to the British University in Dubai on this tremendous achievement. Through the IQR process, they have been able to demonstrate their comparability with international best practice in quality assurance, and to further strengthen their capacity for developing international collaboration and partnership.”

QAA’s IQR accreditation applies for five years, subject to a satisfactory mid-cycle review. The University is also eligible to become a QAA International Member. International Quality Review is carried out in QAA’s capacity supporting the development of higher education quality internationally, including activity to support QAA Members and collaboration with international partners.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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DEWA’s R&D Centre invests in AI & machine learning to improve efficiency, reduce costs and carbon emissions

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)’s R&D Centre employs Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) to promote DEWA’s efforts to enrich the experience of customers, employees, and stakeholders. This also aims to reduce costs and carbon emissions in addition to promoting energy efficiency, smart grid integration and improving the performance of photovoltaic solar panels.

“At DEWA, we work in accordance with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to use AI to improve services and achieve the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, and enhance the UAE and Dubai’s position as a global hub for the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and disruptive technologies. DEWA started its AI journey in 2017 with a road map for AI applications. We launched several services and initiatives that use AI to add value to the customer, employee and stakeholder experience. DEWA is one of the first government organisations in Dubai to use self-assessment tools to ensure it is using the most critical AI applications ethically with corrective measures as needed,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

Al Tayer noted that the R&D Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park supports innovation in all production and operational areas, becoming a global platform to enhance the operations and services of DEWA’s divisions.

Energy Efficiency

The R&D Centre employs AI, ML, and DL to analyse load consumption, and develop expansion plans for DEWA to raise energy efficiency and improve demand-side management. The application of AI in big-data analytics for building performance gives rise to improved benchmarking tools, to validate energy project simulations, and leads to a better understanding of energy usage. It also enables the quantification of cooling loads in Dubai buildings and identifies how these impact DEWA’s peak power demand.

The use of AI on smart meter data through ML & DL models helps to identify the various electrical appliances in use, detect faulty devices and forecast peak load periods and profiles. These technologies allow improved energy storage and load distribution management, while indicating opportunities for energy retrofits in buildings. It also increases the efficiency of energy generation reserve, reduces carbon dioxide emissions and saves 20% on costs.

Smart Grid Integration

The Centre uses smart meter data with machine learning to provide insights into the LV networks. It uses sensor measurements and Internet of Things (IoT), historic asset load, inspection and maintenance data to diagnose critical assets and predict faults, and estimate the Remaining Useful Life (RUL). Moreover, it detects potential interruption for medium volt cables; uses the AI-based interruption data record to predict the tripping of protection relays, and the set-points on the high voltage network to remove congestion. It deploys fault detection and predictive maintenance solutions to improve key DEWA metrics like the Customer Minutes Lost (CML) and the System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI).

Solar Resources and Forecasting programme

The programme develops multiple models for evaluating solar resources, the amount of solar radiation and the expected production capacity of solar energy systems, based on AI and ML, and neural networks of all kinds such as Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), Long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, XGBoost, and UNET.

Solar forecasting research group

Deep Learning and neural networks are applied to detect clouds and fog from sky cameras and satellite images by means of a multiResnet network which improves the popular UNET model for computer vision, and reduce costs, and carbon emissions by increasing the generation of solar power.

Solar cell programme

The Centre uses AI in conjunction with material science – termed ‘materials informatics’, to develop environmentally compatible lead-free materials for high-efficiency novel economic solar cells.

Improving the performance of photovoltaic solar panels

The Centre uses deep learning to detect soiling and dust spots on photovoltaic panels and enhance the thermal images captured by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Real-Time Kinetic Energy systems. The Centre published several research papers in international scientific conferences on ‘Autonomous PV panel detection using a drone;’ and ‘Enhanced PV Panel Detection Using Drones Equipped with RTK’.

Source: Dubai Electricity & Water Authority

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ADNOC Distribution reports net profit of AED1.56 billion in H1 2022

ABU DHABI, ADNOC Distribution reported strong first half results for 2022, recording an EBITDA of AED1.99 billion and net profits of AED1.56 billion.

ADNOC Distribution witnessed year-on-year growth in total fuel volumes, up 9% in H1 2022 compared to H1 2021, while the company’s corporate fuel volumes recorded sustained growth with a 27% year-on-year increase, underpinned by the UAE’s economic growth and driven by the new corporate fuel sales agreements confirmed last year.

The company’s non-fuel business also continued to see momentum with customer-centric initiatives, increased traffic at stations, and higher food and beverage sales, resulting in a 10% increase in gross profit for H1 2022 compared to the same period in 2021.

ADNOC Distribution accelerated delivering on its growth strategy throughout H1 2022, with the opening of 12 new stations in the UAE, of which 4 in Dubai, taking its domestic network to 472 (Dubai: 35 stations).

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the company added 26 new stations in the first half of the year, taking its network in the Kingdom to 66. The company’s total network stands at 538 stations (as of 30 June 2022), and it remains on track to deliver its target of 60-80 new sites in 2022.

In addition, ADNOC Distribution saw the progression of its store refurbishment programme, with 5 ADNOC Oasis stores renovated in the first six months of the year. The newly refurbished stores feature fresh food, barista-brewed coffee and a wider menu selection, contributing to a year-on-year increase in gross profit from non-fuel activities.

In H1 2022, the total number of export network countries of ADNOC Distribution’s VOYAGER lubricants portfolio also rose to 21 markets worldwide. The company also launched the ADNOC VOYAGER green series, an alternative 100% plant-based lubricant range for petrol and diesel engines.

ADNOC Distribution further advanced its international expansion by partnering with TotalEnergies, announcing its milestone transaction to acquire a 50% stake in TotalEnergies Marketing Egypt, one of the top four fuel retail operators in Egypt, for approximately AED683 million ($185.9 million), with an additional earn-out of up to AED63.5 ($17.3 million) (if certain conditions are satisfied). The acquisition aligns with the company’s vision to establish ADNOC Distribution as a regional fuel distribution leader. The acquisition is expected to be completed in Q1 2023, pending satisfaction of certain conditions, including customary regulatory approvals.

Eng. Bader Saeed Al Lamki, CEO of ADNOC Distribution, said, “In the first half of 2022, we have maintained a strong financial and operational performance while integrating cutting-edge solutions to our customer-focused offerings. We have demonstrated a healthy performance, with consistent growth and a strong balance sheet to support further growth investments and to sustain attractive capital distribution to our shareholders.

“Furthermore, our entry into Egypt will mark a significant milestone in our company’s journey that will help unlock new earnings potential through a diversified portfolio, further contributing to our financial performance. Our investment in our network expansion, the launch of new products, and innovative services cater to our customers’ needs as we deliver more modern, digitally-enabled convenience in wider locations,” added Al Lamki. “By doing so, we are able to accelerate our domestic and international growth expansion plans and deliver higher returns to our shareholders.”

Customer experience has continued to be a fundamental component of the company’s growth in H1 2022, driven by a series of in-store promotions and campaigns and through the ADNOC Rewards programme. This includes the Let’s Go Shop and Win Raffle, as well as comprehensive vehicle inspection, car wash, and lube change offers.

The company also expanded the programme’s offering by including fuel to its benefits, allowing customers to redeem their Rewards points against fuel purchases for the first time. The relaunch of ADNOC Oasis’s traditional and premium hot dogs has provided customers more choice, with a range of new flavours freshly prepared on-site across 105 stores in the UAE.

The ADNOC Rewards loyalty programme, launched in 2019, recorded a milestone in H1 2022 with over 1 billion ADNOC Rewards points redeemed in a single calendar month. The programme now has over 1.4 million enrolled members, with 83 partners providing deals and discounts from some of the UAE’s best leisure and entertainment brands through the ADNOC Distribution app.

ADNOC Distribution’s 2022 dividend policy is set at a minimum of AED2.57 billion, offering an annual dividend yield of 4.8% (at a share price of 4.32 as of 5 August 2022). The company expects to pay a minimum of AED1.285 billion for the first six-month dividend of 2022 (10.285 fils per share) in October of this year, followed by the second six-month dividend of 2022 (10.285 fils per share) in April 2023, subject to the discretion of the board and shareholders’ approval.

The company’s dividend policy for the years thereafter sets a dividend equal to at least 75% of distributable profits. The policy recognises the company’s strong financial position and cash-flow generation ability going forward, supporting growth opportunities and sustaining attractive shareholder distribution.

Following ADNOC Distribution’s inclusion in MSCI Emerging Markets Index last year, the company’s weight in the Index further increased in May 2022. ADNOC Distribution is also included in the new blue chip FTSE ADX 15 (FADX15) Index launched as a partnership between FTSE Russell and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). This inclusion exposes ADNOC Distribution to international investors, increasing opportunities to further diversify the company’s investor base.

Source: Emirates News Agency