Dewa Shaping the Future of Utilities With Holistic Approach: CEO

A holistic view of the energy sector is driving innovation at the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), said His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of DEWA, on day three of the sixth World Government Summit (WGS 2018) in Dubai.

Speaking at a session titled ‘How Innovation Is Shaping the Future’, he noted that DEWA’s holistic approach to utilities management focuses on three main themes – a commitment to more clean energy, water desalination through solar power, and disruption by digitization. This approach is helping anticipate and shape the future of energy, and create an innovative model of future utilities in line with the UAE’s development objectives.  

In his presentation, His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer elaborated on these objectives that include an ambitious plant for clean energy to meet 75 percent of Dubai’s energy needs by 2050. Currently, 4200 megawatts are generated from solar energy, primarily solar panels.

He also highlighted DEWA’s world record in terms of electricity spending, from 3.3 to 2.6 minutes per capita, and the pumped storage station project being built in Hatta, which will have a storage capacity of 250MW.

His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer also praised Dubai as a global model for clean energy and green economy that embraces the Fourth Industrial Revolution and disruptive technologies, such as the Internet of Things, blockchain, drones and artificial intelligence. A short video rounded off the presentation, highlighting DEWA’s objectives and ambitions.

His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer said: “I am here to forecast the future of the energy sector through the DEWA experience and share with you our success story, achieved through our commitment to the guidance and insights we have received from our wise leadership, which has proven to be a leading example to be followed in all countries of the world.”

He added: “We are working to achieve the objectives of the UAE Centennial 2071 and Vision 2021, and the holistic view at DEWA is comprehensive. With our initiatives, we can drive production of clean energy, reduction in carbon usage and also reduction in costs. The focus on solar power and energy storage is very important, especially in this region.”

His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer revealed that DEWA’s total assets amounts to AED144 billion while the costs of future projects is estimated at AED81 billion. He also explained how the productive capacity had grown to meet demand – up to 10,200 megawatts of energy and 470 million gallons of desalinated water.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the World Government Summit 2018 runs from February 11 to 13 at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. The landmark event has convened more than 4,000 participants from 140 countries, including heads of state and governments, as well as top-tier representatives of 16 international organizations.

Hosting more than 130 speakers across 120 interactive sessions, WGS 2018 features six distinct forums that examine the challenges of vital sectors for the future with a view to finding the best resolutions for the greater global good. Furthermore, over 20 specialized global reports spanning key sectors and topics of the summit are being launched throughout the duration of the event.