Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) has teamed up with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) to promote the use of renewable energy in the Northern Emirates.
The Distributed Solar System (DSS) project is designed to empower EtihadWE’s customers to produce solar power through rooftop PV systems installed on their properties. This power will then be fed back to the grid, increasing the overall renewable energy supply.
The project falls in line with the wise directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for the development of sustainable and clean energy in the UAE.
The project was introduced in July 2023 with a feasibility study, evaluating financial and technical impacts of integrating DSS to the grid. EtihadWE and MoEI have collaboratively established regulations and technical guidelines for the systems.
EtihadWE ‘s certified contractors will install the solar panels, adhering to the latest safety standards. The customers, including residential, industrial and agricultural, will be offered rooftop PV systems, allowing them to produce solar power.
Consumers can benefit from reduced energy bills in exchange for contributing to the renewable energy grid. Customers involved in the initiative will have to measure the energy exported to the grid as well as the energy imported. Monthly exported and imported energy will be measured. If exported energy exceeds imported energy, the excess energy will be credited to the customer’s account for use within the same year.
H.E Eng Sharif Al Olama Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs – MoEI
“The DSS project is a major contribution to the UAE’s shift to clean energy sources. It reflects our steadfast commitment to fast-tracking renewable energy deployment and the country’s sustainable development. We are pleased to partner with EtihadWE on this project that will pave the way for wider community engagement in building a more sustainable, energy-secure future. The project supports the long-term objectives of the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, including increasing the contribution of clean energy generation to 32 percent, ensuring the country is on track to meet its commitment to tripling the share of renewable energy by 2030 in line with the UAE Consensus. Such projects significantly contribute to enhancing the UAE’s global competitiveness rankings.”
Eng. Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, EtihadWE CEO, commented that, “This major solar initiative marks a significant step in EtihadWE’s progress towards enhancing renewable energy in the Northern Emirates. We are embracing new technology to improve our operations, offer, products and customer service, whilst making our commitment to sustainability clear. Through this project, we demonstrate our dedication to aligning our strategic approach with the UAE government’s directives to transition towards a future fueled by sustainable energy.”
