DEWA concludes successful participation in Dubai Government Achievements Exhibition 2015

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) concluded a successful participation in the Dubai Government Achievements Exhibition 2015, which was organised by the Dubai Government Excellence Programme at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre under the theme Local Government and Global Achievements. A large number of government representatives, participants, and visitors visited DEWA’s stand at the exhibition. Visitors reviewed DEWA’s major achievements, which focus on innovation as a key element in government work. They support the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and DEWA’s strategy to enhance the global position, excellence and competitiveness of the UAE and Dubai. HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited DEWA’s stand on the first day of the exhibition. He was accompanied by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, and HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, briefed His Highness on DEWA’s latest smart services, initiatives, and solutions, and its projects to support the Smart Dubai initiative, launched by His Highness to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world and provide the best government services that make customers happier and more satisfied. On the first day of the exhibition, DEWA’s stand was visited by HE Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy, HE Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy, HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce of Qatar, HE Aziz Rabbah, Minister of Equipment, Transport and Logistics of Morocco, HRH Prince Saud bin Khalid al-Faisal, Deputy Governor of the General Investment Authority of Saudi Arabia, HE Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, HE Abdullah Al Shaibani, Secretary General of the Dubai Executive Council, and HE Hussain Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality. “DEWA is participating in the Dubai Government Achievements Exhibition for the third consecutive year to showcase its key initiatives that support the transformation towards smart government, as well as its projects to promote sustainability and provide the best government services round the clock. This is done by simple, seamless, easy-to-use, efficient, and transparent procedures that meet the needs and expectations of customers and make them happier. Our efforts support the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the Dubai Plan 2021 for the transformation into a full smart government, and achieve the sustainable development outlined in the UAE Vision 2021,” said Al Tayer. DEWA’s stand at the exhibition attracted a large number of visitors. DEWA is demonstrating the best government services that contribute to achieving customer happiness and satisfaction. It showcases its smart app, which provides over 150 services and features that meet the expectations and needs of all society, anytime, anywhere. It provides services for customers, consultants, suppliers, job seekers, scholarships, government organisations, social services, services for people with special needs, and augmented reality. The app provides different services such as the nearest payment point, and DEWA news. The smart app is compatible with various platforms including Android, iOS, and Blackberry. It is also accessible on various operating systems including Windows, Windows Phones, Samsung home entertainment systems, Etisalat’s eLife and through its web application on www.dewa.gov.ae. DEWA also showcased Ash’ir and Ashal, the two innovative initiatives, which have received a remarkable response from customers. The two services support DEWA’s continuous efforts to launch innovative programmes that improve customer service, and develop government services to the highest international standards. The initiatives underline DEWA’s efforts to provide innovative services that are closer to the needs of its customers. Ash’ir is a live-video chat service that enables hearing-impaired customers to communicate directly with DEWA’s call centre staff using sign language. Ash’ir users can enter their information and account number, and the call centre agents, who are trained in sign language, help them with electronic payment, Green Bill registration, which is set to be implemented from first of April 2015, and identify the customer’s location. The total number of DEWA’s customers is 718,118. Around 85% of them, or 606,501, are already registered to receive the Green Bill by e-mail. Ashal kiosks enable visitors to get all the information about DEWA’s smart app, from downloading the app, to creating an account, paying bills, and registering for the Green Bill, and the Dubai Smart Government’s MyID service. DEWA also showcased a model of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which DEWA is implementing. It is one of the largest new strategic renewable energy projects in the world. It is based on the independent power producer (IPP) model, with a planned total capacity of 1,000MW by 2019 and 3,000MW by 2030. The 13MW first phase became operational in 2013, with the 200MW second phase operational by 2017. The Solar Park includes a Research and Development Centre (R&D), a solar-testing facility, an Innovation Centre, a University, and a training centre. The Solar Park has two types of technology, photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP). DEWA’s stand showcased its smart initiatives, including the first initiative, called Shams Dubai, which encourages building owners to install photovoltaic (PV) solar panels to generate electricity. The PV solar system will be connected to DEWA’s grid. This encourages the use of renewable energy and increases its share in the energy mix. The second initiative includes smart applications that use smart meters and grids that contribute to fast-service connection, fast response, and rationalise energy use. DEWA will install 1,200,000 smart meters in the next 5 years. The third initiative is to establish the infrastructure to build 100 electric vehicle charging stations (Green Charger) this year. DEWA has already established 16 Green Charger stations and will install 84 more stations this year.