Cut in chiller charges comes as relief for Dubai residents: Darik Elwan

This is a double bonanza for many Dubai residents, as neighborhood cooling companies will reduce their spending bills by a week, while the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DA) will reduce the surcharge darik elwan for water and electricity.

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority last week reduced the fuel surcharge for electricity from 6.5 fils to 5 fils per kilowatt hour and 0.6 fils to 0.4 fils per imperial gallon. The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy District has ordered refrigeration companies darik elwan to reduce bills for residents of communities they exploit.

Many residents have pointed fingers at the initiative and say it is a great relief during Covid's time."So far, we have not seen a significant difference between summer and winter bills due to the specific elements of neighbourhood cooling.

But if neighborhood cooling companies can knock down certain materials, it will give residents some comfort," said Shilpa Akula, a Dubai resident.

Echoing similar sentiments, the Indian diaspora Orijit, a resident of the Jumeirah Village Triangle (JT), said: "It is a welcome step and a great relief. Winter months are near and A/C usage is falling, it would be ideal if it could be adjusted to the rate of people's consumption. Air conditioning bills are otherwise reflected in the conventional bill that is proportional to direct use darik elwan. For us the cooler has dropped so the summer bill is about 1,500 and in winter dh800 for a two bedroom apartment. However, even this news is a big break in the present time.

It said the decision is in line with the Demand Side Management Strategy 2030, which aims to reduce demand for power and water by 30 percent by 2030.

Naima Khan, a Pakistani expat living in JLT, said: "We all know how expensive a cold controlled bill can be. To address the upcoming expensive A/C bill for renters and homeowners darik elwan, this will prove to be a huge respite, especially now that the Covid-19 times when many people lose work or face a pay cut. Any concession in the financial sector is always more than welcome and the initiative is highly appreciated.