Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), one of the region’s largest integrated firms, has partnered with Etisalat Digital, the subsidiary of Etisalat, for the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) initiative to improve the emirate’s utility metering.
Over the next two years, TAQA’s power and water distribution companies, Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) and Al Ain Distribution Company (AADC), will collaborate with Etisalat Digital to deploy the communication network and an advanced Internet of Things (IoT) platform for AMI.
According to the statement, this helps to unlock the capability of existing and new smart meters installed in customer homes and businesses.
TAQA said that “it has already started the journey towards the connectivity of its advanced metering infrastructure with more than 30 percent of the smart meters in Abu Dhabi already connected.” This partnership will bring the connection across the UAE capital to 100 percent.
Omar Al Hashmi Executive Director Transmission & Distribution TAQA
“Our agreement with Etisalat Digital is a significant moment for customers facing businesses. Once complete, it will ensure higher efficiency standards for our customers and contribute to the digitalization of our infrastructure, accelerating operational improvements and smart grid readiness. The investment in this contract is also a step towards delivering on our Group strategy which included investing an additional $10 billion (AED40 billion) in our UAE-based transmission and distribution business by 2030.”
Unlike traditional meters, smart meters with enhanced connectivity capabilities can provide consumers with detailed automatic readings of their current and historical energy usage, helping them to better understand and control their usage.
As per the statement, such infrastructure serves as the foundation which will allow future demand-side management programs. Furthermore, these meters will pave the way toward intelligent grid objectives such as monitoring capacity and outage management.
“We are pleased to collaborate with TAQA to support its digital transformation initiatives through the use of advanced technologies with the vision to develop and onboard new uses cases using innovative technologies such as 5G, Internet of Things, and AI,” said Mr. Salvador Anglada, CEO at Etisalat Digital.
