DUBAI, UAE – Dubai’s state-of-the-art infrastructure in various sectors, including electricity, water, transportation, airports, and ports, has been established and continuously developed over decades to meet the highest international standards, said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA).
“This has solidified Dubai’s reputation as the best city in the world to live and work, and as a global hub for economy and trade,” he added during his keynote speech “Leading Projects Enhancing Sustainability” at the 9th Dubai International Project Management Forum (DIPMF),
The DIPMF — held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai — is organized by Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) in partnership with DEWA.
“During the UAE’s hosting of the most successful edition of the World Climate Conference (COP28), His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the world’s largest concentrated solar power (CSP) project. This is part of the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world, based on the independent power producer model. This achievement contributes to Dubai’s Year of Sustainability, launching projects that support the climate. These efforts align with the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. The 950MW fourth phase represents the largest investment project, with investments totaling AED 15.78 billion. It features the world’s tallest CSP tower, standing over 263 meters, and the largest thermal energy storage capacity of 5,907 megawatt-hours, as recorded by Guinness World Records. DEWA also signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) to build and operate the 1,800MW 6th phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park at a cost of AED 5.51 billion. The commissioning of this 6th phase by 2026 will boost the Solar Park’s current production capacity of 2,627MW to 4,660MW,” Al Tayer said.
Al Tayer noted that in its quest to boost Dubai’s economic prosperity, DEWA has become a global exemplar in energy and water efficiency and reliability, providing services that meet the highest standards of reliability, efficiency, and quality. DEWA is keeping pace with the rising demand for energy and water by increasing its production capacity, which currently stands at 16,270 MW of electricity and 490 million imperial gallons (MIGD) per day of desalinated water. This also includes enhancing the capacity of transmission and distribution networks to match Dubai’s significant expansion. As of June 30, 2023, the total value of fixed assets in which DEWA has invested exceeded AED 214 billion, with a projected capital value of DEWA’s projects from 2024 to 2028 being about AED 42 billion.
“We’re witnessing strong, growing, and sustainable demand for energy and water in Dubai. In 2023, the peak electricity load rose by 9 percent, and peak water demand increased by 5 percent. This growth stems from urban development, economic expansion, and a steady rise in population. DEWA serves over 3.6 million residents of Dubai, and more than 4.7 million people during the daytime. In line with our climate action efforts, we’ve limited new water desalination projects to reverse osmosis technology powered by clean energy. Our shift towards the Independent Water and Power Producer (IWPP) model and strengthening private sector partnerships have attracted investments exceeding AED 43 billion. As part of enhancing Dubai’s water security with sustainable sources, we’ve signed the Water Purchase Agreement and Shareholder Agreement for the 180 MIGD Hassyan Phase 1 Independent Water Producer project, involving an investment of over AED 3.3 billion,” Al Tayer stated.
“This project will become the world’s largest solar-powered desalination plant, supporting the Dubai Integrated Water Resource Management Strategy 2030, which focuses on enhancing water resources through cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions. By 2030, DEWA’s Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) production capacity will increase to 303 MIGD, constituting around 42 percent of the total desalinated water production capacity, expected to reach 730 MIGD. Reverse osmosis technology offers numerous advantages over other water desalination methods, enhancing operational efficiency and supporting the strategic shift towards clean energy. It is also more energy-efficient than other technologies, thus reducing emissions, environmental impact, and costs. DEWA’s strategy aims to produce 100 percent of desalinated water using a clean energy mix, including renewable energy and waste heat, by 2030. This approach positions Dubai to surpass global targets for utilizing clean energy in water desalination. Additionally, increasing the operational efficiency by separating the desalination process from electricity production is projected to save approximately AED 13 billion by 2030, while reducing carbon emissions by 44 million tonnes,” added Al Tayer.
“Our projects align with the UAE’s Circular Economy Policy. We are committed to implementing DEWA’s Circular Economy Strategy, which focuses on optimizing resource use while enriching social, economic, and environmental value, thereby promoting sustainability in the UAE and Dubai. Innovation is a key pillar in developing our work system and enhancing efficiency in production, which improved by more than 37 percent between 2006 and 2022. Our fuel consumption efficiency, now around 90 percent, ranks among the highest globally, and we have achieved global leadership in operational and performance excellence. DEWA is the world’s first fully digital utility, establishing Digital DEWA, its digital arm, which includes several digital companies using cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, blockchain technology, and the Internet of Things. It employs autonomous systems for renewable energy, energy storage, and delivers ultra-advanced digital services. DEWA is also the first utility in the world and the first government entity in the UAE to integrate ChatGPT with its virtual employee Rammas, who has been operational since 2017. Additionally, we launched the DEWAVerse platform to provide our services to customers and employees in the Metaverse virtual world,” continued Al Tayer.
Al Tayer explained that DEWA’s Moro integrated data hub, located at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, is the world’s largest solar-powered data center according to Guinness World Records. This achievement complements the use of digital twins in the energy network, which employ real-time simulations to analyze and enhance the operations and planning of energy networks. This leads to more efficient, resilient, and sustainable energy systems. DEWA’s strategy for investing in fixed assets reflects its commitment to providing electricity, water, and cooling services to an ever-growing customer base, adhering to the highest standards of reliability, availability, and efficiency.
According to McKinsey, DEWA ranks first globally in over ten key performance indicators in its sector, thanks to the efficiency of its transmission and distribution networks. For instance, DEWA has achieved the lowest loss rates worldwide, with power line losses reduced to a leading 2.2 percent, and unaccounted-for water at a leading 4.5 percent. Additionally, DEWA has significantly reduced Customer Minutes Lost (CML) to a global low of 1.06 minutes per year.