DEWA: Environmental protection is a responsibility to fulfil our obligations to our ancestors and present and future generations

On the 28th National Environment Day, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), has emphasised DEWA’s commitment to build on the achievements of the UAE in consolidating sustainable practices, and to achieve net zero by 2050. Al Tayer highlighted that DEWA is guided by the noble values established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and supported by the wise directives of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to promote the health of the planet and enhance the readiness for the future through the adoption of sustainable projects and solutions, and the advancement of environmental and climate action.

Al Tayer said that environmental protection is our responsibility towards present and future generations, adding that DEWA adopts innovation and state-of-the-art technologies and develop constructive partnerships to achieve sustainability. This supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100% of the Emirate’s energy production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050. DEWA seeks to raise the awareness of the importance of sustainable resource and energy consumption, and waste recycling.

DEWA's main projects and initiatives:

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park

It is the largest single-site solar park in the world, based on the independent power producer (IPP) model. It will have a production capacity of more than 5,000MW by 2030, with a total investment of AED 50 billion. Upon its completion, the solar park will reduce more than 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. DEWA won a place in the Guinness World Records for the tallest solar tower in the world, and the largest thermal storage capacity.

Green Hydrogen project

DEWA’s Green Hydrogen project is the first project of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa to produce hydrogen using solar energy. Since its launch in May 2021, the project has been able to reduce 490 tonnes of carbon emissions. It has produced approximately 90 tonnes of green hydrogen, most of which was used to generate clean energy and car fuel.

Pumped-storage Hydroelectric Power Plant in Hatta

The pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant that DEWA is implementing in Hatta has a planned capacity of 250MW, a storage capacity of 1,500 megawatt-hours and a lifespan of up to 80 years, with an investment of up to AED 1.4 billion.

Smart Grid

The Smart Grid that DEWA is implementing, with a total investment of AED 7 billion, is one of the tools to make Dubai a smart and sustainable city. The smart grid ensures two-way communication between DEWA and its customers. It provides advanced features that include automated decision-making capabilities and interoperability to ensure smooth, fast and efficient operations.

Digital transformation

Service automation at DEWA reached 100%, self-services that do not require physical presence reached 100%, digital adoption of DEWA’s services reached 99.2%, customer happiness reached 98.3% and service quality reached 95%. DEWA’s customers completed more than 14 million digital transactions in 2024.

EV Green Charger

Since its launch in 2014, DEWA’s Green Charger Initiative has contributed to construct an advanced infrastructure, resulting in a network of over 740 charging stations. This includes around 400 stations operated by DEWA. This supports the sustainable mobility in Dubai.

Biodiversity

DEWA organises events in collaboration with the Emirates Marine Environmental Group (EMEG), to protect the Jebel Ali Marine Sanctuary. During 2024, more than 500 employees and their families, successfully planted 6,850 mangrove trees and removed 256 kilograms of plastic from the reserve's beach.

Environmental awareness campaigns

DEWA launches awareness programmes, workshops and contests to raise environmental awareness with DEWA’s cartoon characters, Noor and Hayat, helping to introduce children to ways to preserve the environment and adopt a sustainable lifestyle.

Machines for recycling plastic bottles and aluminium cans

DEWA provides smart machines to recycle plastic bottles and aluminium cans at some of its buildings. Since 2022, DEWA’s employees had recycled over 864,076 plastic bottles and aluminium cans, promoting circular economy practices.