The Department of Energy is committed to ensuring the health and safety of its employees, contractors, visitors, and the public to minimise the impact of its activities on the surrounding environment. The DoE strives:

• To always consider the social, economic, and environmental impact of its activities and to take action to mitigate any adverse effects;
• To regulate and supervise all HSE aspects of the water, wastewater, and electricity sector in a safe and sustainable way;
• To pursue the goal of no harm to people;
• To promote the emirate's environmental plans, guidelines and policies among DoE's employees.
• The DoE seeks to promote a systematic approach for managing health, safety, and environment (HSE) in line with the Emirate-wide OSHMS initiatives.

 

Overall Roles and Responsibilities

Energy Sector SRA

Pursuant to Decree No. 42 of 2009 issued by the Crown Prince Chairman of the Executive Council, the DOE, as the Sector Regulatory Authority, is responsible for supervising the implementation of the Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety and Health System Framework (OSHAD-SF) in the sector, especially for:

• Developing its Occupational Safety and Health Management System (OHSMS) in accordance with the provisions of Decree No.42 of 2009.
• Identifying entities within the energy sector that are required to implement an OSHMS.
• Review and approval of the OSHMS developed by all entities within its sector, in accordance with the requirements of OSHAD-SF.
• Monitoring the implementation of the entities’ systems based on a risk management approach through periodic inspection and auditing.
• Submitting reports to the Competent Authority (OSHAD) on the performance of the Occupational Safety and health management systems (OHSMS) approved for the concerned entities in accordance with the reporting mechanism.

 

 

Regulations

Develop and implement the required technical regulations for the energy sector.

1. Water Quality Regulations
2. Trade Effluent Control Regulations
3. Recycled Water and Bio-solids Regulations 
4. Fuel Storage Tank Regulations
5. Incident Reporting Regulations
6. Code of Practice for low-risk trade effluent discharges from laundry services
7. Code of Practice for low-risk trade effluent discharges from restaurants and cafes
8. Code of Practice for low-risk Trade Effluent discharges from vehicle-washes
9. Code of Practice for the inspection and cleaning of customer water storage tanks

 

 

Licensing and Compliance

The Health, Safety, Environment (HSE) Department is also responsible for:

• Overseeing compliance to the relevant energy, water, health, safety and environment related regulations through monitoring and verification of process performance and water quality. This includes occupational health and safety in licensed entities.
• Review all license applications to ensure that the applicant has fulfilled the necessary HSE requirements before commencing operations.
• Work closely with Licensing and Compliance Section to monitor HSE data from the sector in order to ensure compliance with the applicable regulations, guidelines and standards; and undertake audits and investigations as required.

 

 

Environment

DoE puts environment protection as a priority in all operations in the Energy Sector, through monitoring the environmental performance of all licensees - and set required regulations and guidelines. The Fuel Storage Tank Regulations (2009) were established to protect the environment from surface and groundwater pollution and any effects this may have on public health.

 

The DoE works closely with the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi to ensure compliance with all regulations and agreed protocols within the energy sector. It is also committed to being part of the consultation process on all relevant environmental matters.

 

 

Performance

The performance of all DoE’s licensees is carefully monitored through regular data submissions, an incident reporting system, audits and inspections, as well as regular meetings.

 

 

Recycled Water & Biosolids Regulations

The Recycled Water & Biosolids Regulations (Third Edition) was issued in January 2021. It establishes a legal framework for the safe and economic reuse and management of recycled water and biosolids in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It has been developed using the US Environmental Protection Agency Guidelines for Water Reuse, EU Council Directive concerning urban wastewater treatment and other guidance from the World Health Organization.

 

 

Trade Effluent Control Regulations

The Trade Effluent Control Regulations establish a legal framework to ensure Trade Effluent is managed safely and economically by the wastewater sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The control of Trade Effluent is a key element of the DoE’s strategy to promote the Reuse of Recycled Water and Biosolids.

 

 

Water Quality Regulations

The Water Quality Regulations (Fifth revision) was issued in January 2021. It establishes the legal framework for providing healthy water to consumers in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It has been updated in accordance with the current WHO guidelines and after extensive consultations with sector companies and the concerned stakeholders.