Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy has issued its first district cooling licence to Saadiyat Cooling, which serves Saadiyat Island, including Saadiyat Beach and Saadiyat Cultural District.
A second licence will be issued in the coming weeks to Saadiyat District Cooling, which serves New York University Abu Dhabi, according to a statement from the DoE.
Saadiyat District Cooling and Saadiyat Cooling provide district cooling to Saadiyat Island, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, NYUAD and Manarat Al Saadiyat. The National Central Cooling Company, also known as Tabreed, said in December that it is buying the two district cooling units on Saadiyat Island from Aldar Properties for Dh963 million ($262m).
The DoE also issued district cooling regulations and district cooling applicability regulations in September 2019, making Abu Dhabi the first jurisdiction in the Middle East and North Africa to set up a regulatory framework for district cooling.
We issued the district cooling regulations to streamline operations in the sector, shift the focus squarely to the consumer, boost Abu Dhabi's economic growth and champion sustainable practices and energy efficiency
“The district cooling industry is a key area of our mandate, and with that in mind, we issued the district cooling regulations to streamline operations in the sector, shift the focus squarely to the consumer, boost Abu Dhabi’s economic growth and champion sustainable practices and energy efficiency,” Mohammad Juma bin Jarsh Al Falasi, DoE undersecretary, said.
“The emirate has led the way in developing and now implementing the first comprehensive district cooling regulatory framework in the region, which provides a clear platform for future growth and investment.”
District cooling is a centralised cooling production and distribution system that uses an insulated underground pipe network to serve multiple buildings within the same area. The system is usually used for cooling residential buildings, commercial buildings, mixed-use buildings and densely populated areas. It is the most environmentally friendly option when it comes to air conditioning, reducing energy consumption up to 40 per cent more than conventional cooling systems and cutting carbon dioxide emission levels.
The DoE also announced the launch of the technical panel review process for the district cooling technical code and district cooling metering code on February 23. Panel members include district cooling providers, retailers, developers, Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport, and Abu Dhabi Distribution Company. Membership is open to any entity that will be affected by the codes.
This initiative aims to ensure that views of all stakeholders in the emirate are considered in the review of the Code. Published in March 2020, the technical codes are performance-based specifications with defined key performance indicators. They aim to promote energy efficiency, sound water management, reliability of service and customer satisfaction, the DoE said.
“Implementing the DoE regulations in these two schemes promises to deliver substantial benefits to the emirate of Abu Dhabi, such as a possible reduction in consumption fees for more than 100 residential units in Saadiyat Beach Residence,” the statement said.
Other advantages include the transparency of costs, an increase in capacity for consumers; committed investment by licensees to upgrade district cooling plants and enhance service standards; and commitment from licensees to invest in more sustainable technologies that promote usage of recycled water at these schemes, sharing any resulting cost benefits with consumers in the future, the DoE added in the statement.
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Rashford 36')
Liverpool 1 (Lallana 84')
Man of the match: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Scoreline:
Cardiff City 0
Liverpool 2
Wijnaldum 57', Milner 81' (pen)
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
Price: from Dh285,000
On sale: from January 2022
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
'Shakuntala Devi'
Starring: Vidya Balan, Sanya Malhotra
Director: Anu Menon
Rating: Three out of five stars
Indika
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The Farewell
Director: Lulu Wang
Stars: Awkwafina, Zhao Shuzhen, Diana Lin, Tzi Ma
Four stars
Ipaf in numbers
Established: 2008
Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
HOW%20TO%20ACTIVATE%20THE%20GEMINI%20SHORTCUT%20ON%20CHROME%20CANARY
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Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
The specs
BMW M8 Competition Coupe
Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
Power 625hp at 6,000rpm
Torque 750Nm from 1,800-5,800rpm
Gearbox Eight-speed paddleshift auto
Acceleration 0-100kph in 3.2 sec
Top speed 305kph
Fuel economy, combined 10.6L / 100km
Price from Dh700,000 (estimate)
On sale Jan/Feb 2020
Veere di Wedding
Dir: Shashanka Ghosh
Starring: Kareena Kapoo-Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania
Verdict: 4 Stars
