UAE’s state-owned utility service provider Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has received a delegation from the Saudi Electric Company (SEC) in line with the benchmarking visits for knowledge sharing among pioneering utilities in the region.
The visit aims to improve bilateral work to support the region’s sustainable and comprehensive development journey. The delegation was briefed on the technical specifications and requirements adopted by DEWA in its energy distribution projects and substations and its methods for handling interruptions in the distribution network.
Further, the DEWA officials accompanied the delegation on a field visit to its Control Centre for Power Distribution to learn about the mechanism for monitoring the distribution networks.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer MD & CEO – DEWA
“We work to achieve the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to provide a state-of-the-art, integrated infrastructure for electricity and water. This is according to the highest availability, reliability, efficiency and safety standards to meet the growing demand and keep pace with the requirements for sustainable development in Dubai. This is through specified and reliable plans based on the latest tools for anticipating the future and best global practices.”
DEWA adopts the Smart Grids strategy to achieve automation of distribution and enhance energy efficiency. The Authority has surpassed prominent European and American companies by reducing electricity network losses to 3.3 percent compared to 6-7 percent in Europe and the US. It has also reduced water network losses to 5.1 percent compared to 15 percent in North America, Mr. Al Tayer explained.
“The number of 33 kV medium voltage substations in service has reached 79 stations by the end of October 2021, while the number of 11 kV medium voltage stations has reached 41,243 stations, and the number of 6.6 kV medium voltage stations has reached 422 stations. This ensures meeting the growing demand for electricity and ensure the sustainability of supply for different customers at all times,” said Mr. Rashid Bin Humaidan, Executive Vice President of DEWA’s Distribution Power.
The delegates from SEC applauded the reliability indicators of the network attained by DEWA, which is one of the global best. The officials also recognized the Authority’s world-class digital infrastructure and projects related to the smart grid and smart meters, in addition to its practices in managing its assets, maintenance, and customer service according to the international standards.
