DEWA & IBM Host Smart Cities Seminar & Sign MoU

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), in collaboration with IBM, has organised an interactive seminar about the Dubai Smart City initiative. The seminar is the first of a series of interactive smart seminars DEWA is organising about smart grids, energy-and-water-side management, and other matters related to building, operating and managing the infrastructure of a smart city. The seminar was attended by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, and Amr Refaat, General Manager, IBM Middle East & Pakistan. Staff from DEWA and IBM, DEWA’s partners attended the seminar, as well as organisations that work on the development and management of smart cities, and sustainable development programmes. The seminar discussed mechanisms for building and operating the infrastructure for smart cities, transformation in smart grids, and managing the transmission and distribution of electricity and water. The sessions covered different subjects such as the role of organisations in developing communities, the positive impact of infrastructure in the development of the business sector and society. At the seminar, DEWA and IBM also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on smart grid technologies, innovation centres, research & development programs, industry knowledge-sharing, as well as benchmarking and training best practices. “DEWA is conducting these seminars to work more closely with its partners and stakeholders to support our contribution to the Smart Dubai initiative, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world within three years. To support the initiative of His Highness, DEWA has launched three promising smart initiatives. They are: Using solar power in houses and buildings, Smart apps through smart meters and grids, and building the infrastructure and charging stations for electric vehicles. These initiatives will effectively help to create a smarter future for all residents of Dubai. DEWA is currently working on a number of projects, initiatives, and smart services that support the vision of His Highness to maintain the position of Dubai as a global hub for trade, finance, green economy, and sustainability,” said Al Tayer in his keynote speech. “DEWA has adopted an integrated strategy, and designed innovative plans and frameworks for the ongoing improvement of administrative, operational, and service processes. DEWA’s 2014-2018 strategy is based on five basic themes: Competent Capabilities and Effective Emiratisation, Operational and Service Excellence, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Innovation, and Sustainable Growth. This has enabled us to achieve 100% smart transformation less than a year after the Smart Dubai initiative was announced,” added Al Tayer. “Within the energy and utilities sector, organisations are today looking for smarter digital tools that can help them to automate, monitor and optimise the flow of services to the public. DEWA has already made rapid advancements in developing such initiatives. Through this latest MoU, IBM looks forward to deepening its cooperation with DEWA to help realize the full potential of its services while maintaining the most efficient day-to-day operations possible,” said Amr Refaat, General Manager, IBM Middle East & Pakistan. “DEWA is committed to enhancing cooperation and joint work with all partners and stakeholders from the government and private sectors to join our efforts, which will help support the sustainable development of the UAE. We also work to implement joint projects and initiatives that support organisational performance and achieve sustainable results to achieve short- and long-term objectives. By signing this MoU and organising the smart seminars, DEWA aims to embed innovation and creativity within its organisational culture, and support the National Innovation Strategy to make the UAE one of the most innovative countries in the world within the next seven years,” concluded Al Tayer.