HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer receives participants in the Mohammed bin Hamad Programme for Leadership Development at Al Shera’a and shares success stories

As part of efforts by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) to empower young leaders and transfer leadership expertise to future generations, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, welcomed participants in the Mohammed bin Hamad Program for Leadership Development at Al Shera’a, DEWA’s new headquarters and the world’s tallest, largest and smartest net-positive government building. The programme was launched by the Majlis Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government.

The programme, which includes 25 participants, aims to prepare a new generation of government leaders capable of adapting to change, engaging with advanced technologies and navigating future scenarios. It provides an in-depth understanding of the UAE’s experience in leadership and human development.

Inspirational leadership: clear vision and effective strategies

During the meeting, Al Tayer emphasised that a leader’s success is rooted in loyalty to the nation, allegiance to the wise leadership and the strength of a team characterised by sincerity, ambition and dedication. He noted that successful leadership is built on a clear vision, effective strategies and resilient plans that respond to change.

“Our approach is clear and our goals are well defined. We are inspired by the directives of our wise leadership, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and Their Highnesses, the Members of the Supreme Council of the UAE. They have set a vision to make the UAE one of the best countries in the world, its people the happiest and its services the best,” said Al Tayer.

He added that DEWA has become a hub for developing executive leaders in Dubai, with more than 20 of its graduates holding senior government positions at local and federal levels. He also highlighted the presence of highly qualified Emirati professionals across specialised fields, including solar energy experts and engineers involved in satellite manufacturing at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.

Dr. Ali bin Sebaa Al Marri, Executive President of the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, said: “Field visits are a fundamental pillar of the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government’s educational and training programmes, as they strengthen the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical applications. They also broaden participants’ horizons, enabling them to understand and draw inspiration from national success stories within future work environments, in line with the school’s mission to prepare leaders capable of keeping pace with the evolving development landscape.”

Al Marri added: “DEWA represents a pioneering global model for government leadership, innovation and sustainability. Learning from its advanced experience enriches the knowledge of participants in the Mohammed bin Hamad Programme for Leadership Development, providing them with practical insights into how to translate strategic visions into impactful, tangible achievements. As part of its strategic partnership with the Majlis Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the school remains committed to empowering future leaders with the skills and expertise required to effectively lead development initiatives in the next phase, inspired by the national approach to human development and reinforcing the system of government excellence.”

Three unique experiences in the journey of giving

Al Tayer highlighted three leadership experiences from his career, sharing lessons and insights with the programme’s participants.

First story: The CSP tower

The first experience is captured in the story of the solar tower, where Al Tayer recalled HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s directives to build a solar tower in Dubai that reflects the UAE’s boundless ambitions. DEWA then launched technical studies for the concentrated solar power (CSP) project, now classified as a strategic global landmark. These efforts led to the development of the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which combines CSP and photovoltaic technologies with a production capacity of 950MW and investments exceeding AED 15 billion. The project went on to secure four Guinness World Records, including the world’s tallest solar tower at over 263 metres, along with the largest thermal energy storage capacity, capable of operating for 15 hours of continuously.

Second story: Electricity line losses

DEWA reduced electricity line losses from the high levels seen in the 1990s to just 2%, positioning Dubai as the global leader with the lowest line loss rate and delivering cumulative savings worth billions of dirhams. Al Tayer explained that this was achieved through strategic decisions, including phasing out the 33kV system in urban areas, transitioning from British to European specifications and adopting lifecycle-based transformer procurement that accounts for total operational losses.

Third story: Reducing water network losses

Water network losses declined from 40% in the early 1990s to 4.4% by the end of 2025 – among the lowest rates globally. This was achieved through a comprehensive assessment of Dubai’s water network, upgraded specifications, the replacement of ageing pipelines and the deployment of smart meters alongside advanced monitoring and control systems.

Lessons learnt and future vision

Al Tayer concluded by addressing the participants: “You are the UAE’s true wealth, and this programme marks a key milestone in your leadership journey. The UAE relies on you to lead the future with competence. I wish you success and continued guidance.”

He stressed that loyalty to the nation and its wise leadership, the integration of international expertise when national expertise is unavailable, alongside developing national talent, the adoption of strategic planning and a commitment to continuous monitoring by senior management are essential pillars for achieving excellence and sustained long-term leadership.