Dewa commits Dh60 billion for energy, water projects

Dubai - Dewa has allocated over Dh2.6 billion to support electricity, water and renewable energy infrastructure projects.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) will invest Dh60 billion in Dubai's energy and water sectors over the next five years to meet increasing demand, said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of the utility company.
In its bid to diversify the emirate's energy mix, Dewa has increased the targets for renewable energy to seven per cent of Dubai's total power output by 2020 and 15 per cent by 2030.
Dewa is doing this to support the Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to build a green economy in the UAE.
Dewa has allocated over Dh2.6 billion to support electricity, water and renewable energy infrastructure projects.
It will focus on renewable energy sources to support Dubai Expo's theme of 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future' and its three sub themes of sustainability, mobility and opportunity.
The utility company is also tapping into solar energy to cater to the population's growing energy requirements.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is managed by Dewa, will be one of the largest renewable energy projects in the region, with a planned production capacity of 3,000MW by 2030.
As part of its Shams Dubai initiative, Dewa is encouraging customers to install photovoltaic panels on their rooftops to generate electricity from solar power. These panels will be connected to Dewa's grid.
The electricity is used on-site and the surplus is exported to Dewa's network. An offset between exported and imported electricity units is conducted and the customer account is settled based on this offset.
The Shams Dubai project supports the Smart Dubai initiative.
For installation of PVs in buildings, customers can contact consultants or contractors accredited by Dewa. After obtaining the necessary approvals from Dewa, the consultant or contractor undertakes on-site work. After completing installation, they submit a notification to Dewa to conduct technical inspection of the site and install the metre to complete the connection process.
While installing a PV system requires an initial investment, the in-house production of power reduces electricity bills in the building throughout the lifecycle of the PV system, which is 25 years.
- business@khaleejtimes.com