HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer welcomes Chinese delegation from Tsinghua University‘s PBC School of Finance to strengthen strategic ties

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), received a delegation from the Middle East-China Scienvest Executive Programme at Tsinghua University’s People's Bank of China School of Finance (PBCSF) during a high-level meeting.  The delegation was led by Jia Hong Liang, director of the Scienvest Executive Programme.

The visit underscores the strong strategic relations between the UAE and China, and highlights DEWA's commitment to fostering global collaboration in innovation, sustainability and future-focused energy solutions.

The Chinese delegation, comprising 36 CEOs and academics, aimed to explore avenues of mutual co-operation and knowledge exchange in areas such as renewable energy, smart grids, artificial intelligence and sustainable development. The visit forms part of DEWA’s efforts to promote cross-border collaborations. This engagement cements DEWA’s position as a model of excellence in the global energy sector.

Al Tayer highlighted Dubai’s ambitious clean energy and sustainable development goals, in line with the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership to drive the transition to a green economy. DEWA strives to achieve the goals of the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategy, the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, which aim to provide 100% of Dubai’s energy production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050.

Al Tayer showcased DEWA’s pioneering role in transforming Dubai into a global hub for clean energy and a green economy. He highlighted DEWA's groundbreaking achievements, including the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the world’s largest single-site solar park. By 2030, the solar park will have a production capacity of over 5,000 megawatt (MW), using photovoltaic panels and concentrated solar power (CSP), with a total investment of AED 50 billion. Once completed, it will reduce carbon emissions by more than 6.5 million tonnes annually.

Al Tayer addressed DEWA’s unprecedented achievements and global leadership among utilities in the energy and water sectors worldwide. DEWA currently ranks first globally in 12 key performance indicators in its areas of work, according to a recent study conducted by a specialised international consultant. In 2023, line losses from electricity transmission and distribution networks were reduced to 2%, compared to 6%-7% in Europe and the US. Water network losses reached 4.6%, compared to around 15% in North America. DEWA has achieved a new world record of 1.06 electricity Customer Minutes Lost (CML) per year, compared to around 15 minutes recorded by leading utility companies in the European Union.

HE Al Tayer emphasised the importance of partnerships with academic and research institutions, noting that DEWA's innovation-driven strategy aligns closely with the UAE's vision to strengthen ties with global leaders in technology and sustainability, including Tsinghua University. He stressed that the UAE and China share a robust partnership built on mutual respect and a shared vision for innovation and sustainable growth,” said Al Tayer

The delegation expressed their appreciation for DEWA's achievements and insights on emerging trends in sustainable energy.