DEWA signs agreement with CESI Middle East to review transmission network to ensure readiness for renewable energy integration

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has signed a contract with CESI Middle East to work with DEWA’s Transmission Operation department to ensure the readiness of Dubai’s transmission and distribution network for the rise in renewable energy, according to the highest international standards and best practices. The contract supports DEWA’s efforts to enhance transmission and distribution networks to be compatible with the expansion of renewable-energy within the energy mix, which DEWA recently announced. It also supports the latest initiative to install photovoltaic (PV) panels in houses and buildings to generate electricity and connect it to DEWA’s grid. The international consultancy will also provide training for DEWA’s engineers, and propose improvements in operation policies and protocols to improve availability and reliability, and incorporate new tools and applications to improve transmission systems operation management.

“DEWA supports the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for Dubai to be in first place globally, and achieve the happiness of citizens, residents, and visitors. Dubai having a robust infrastructure is a key to achieving this goal and make Dubai the smartest city in the world. DEWA has developed plans and programmes to improve the operational efficiency of transmission and distribution networks and increase their efficiency and reliability. We are glad to work with CESI to ensure that the network is ready for the increase of renewable energy in Dubai’s energy mix, and to provide training for DEWA’s engineers,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

“HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, issued Council Resolution Number 46 of 2014, allowing customers to install PV panels to generate electricity from solar power in buildings, and connect them to DEWA’s grid. An offset between exported and imported electricity units is conducted and the customer account is settled based on this offset,” added Al Tayer.

“Last month, we increased the percentage of renewable energy to 7% by 2020, and 15% by 2030. This, coupled with our initiative to allow customers to install PV panels to produce electricity in buildings, requires incorporating new technologies into the network to guarantee that it copes with the increased renewable energy target,” added Al Tayer.

“DEWA has achieved global competitive results in efficiency and reliability, surpassing leading European and American companies by reducing losses in power transmission and distribution networks to 3.46%, compared to 6-7% in Europe and the USA. DEWA’s results are among the best internationally for customer minutes lost per year. DEWA’s figures reached 4.9 minutes in 2014, compared to 15 minutes recorded by leading utilities in the European Union,” concluded Al Tayer.

“CESI is honoured to assist DEWA in maximising the potential of its power grid and contributing to the success of Dubai’s Energy Strategy,” said Dr. Floris Hendrikus Schulze, Managing Director, CESI Middle East. 

“In line with the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform the UAE into a smart, green economy, we aim to maximise DEWA’s in-house ability leveraging our established network of skilled professionals. This will ensure that DEWA’s integration of energy practices best support the nation’s green agenda. This will be a milestone in the evolutionary direction of the way electricity is transmitted. Our collaboration will be a model for public-private partnerships that contribute to energy stability and sustainability,” said Matteo Codazzi, Chief Executive Officer of CESI.

CESI is working with DEWA in its Distributed Renewable Resources Generation programme, which is part of DEWA’s first initiative to encourage households and building owners to install photovoltaic solar panels to generate electricity. The electricity is used on site and the surplus is exported to DEWA’s network. This encourages the use of renewable energy and increases its share in the energy mix.