HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) welcomed Kou Wei, President of State Grid Corporation of China, China’s state-owned electricity company, and the largest utility in the world. The meeting was attended by Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of Kaheel Group LLC. This is one of a series of visits made by major international companies to DEWA.
Also in attendance for the meeting from DEWA’s side was Waleed Salman, EVP of Business Development and Excellence; Hussain Lootah, EVP of Transmission Power, and Yousef Jebril, EVP of Power & Water Planning.
Al Tayer welcomed the visiting delegation, emphasising the importance of enhancing cooperation with the State Grid Corporation of China, noting that DEWA has strategic partnerships with Chinese companies in energy-related areas. The UAE is the second largest trade partner of China worldwide and the largest partner of China in the Arab world.
Al Tayer pointed out that DEWA has strategic partnerships with many Chinese energy-related organisations and companies. Several major Chinese companies are taking part in DEWA’s projects, especially at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar project in the world, with a planned capacity of 5,000MW by 2030.
The two sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in energy-related areas, especially in clean and renewable energy. Dubai has consolidated its position as a global hub for clean energy and green economy through its leading projects and integrated plans. This supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to produce 75% of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy sources by 2050.
Al Tayer noted that DEWA is committed to developing an advanced infrastructure that meets the increasing demand for water and electricity in the Emirate. This contributes to achieving Dubai’s ambitious urban objectives by providing services at the highest levels of efficiency, availability and reliability to over 900,000 customers. DEWA is also expanding its electricity and water services by developing new stations and upgrading existing ones, according to the latest world-class practices. DEWA is also working to increase its use of clean and renewable energy, launch smart initiatives, and adopt creativity and innovation in all its operations.
Al Tayer said that DEWA has plans to build new 400 kilovolt (kV) substations in the coming years, as part of its development projects to enhance and increase the efficiency of the transmission network. DEWA’s plans include increasing the capacity of the 132-km power transmission network by increasing the number of 132/11 kV substations.
Al Tayer noted that in line with the 10X initiative to develop Dubai Government services, DEWA has launched Digital DEWA, its digital arm. DEWA is implementing a pioneering model for utilities that is based on innovation in renewable energy, energy storage, artificial intelligence, and digital services. DEWA’s 10X initiatives are based on four pillars to provide a new model for utilities in Dubai and the world.
The delegation from State Grid Corporation of China commended Al Tayer and DEWA for the warm welcome and for the detailed brief on DEWA’s work and projects, expressing interest in further participation in DEWA’s leading projects in clean and renewable energy