Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) | MD & CEO of DEWA receives German delegation

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), received a German delegation, including Dr Martin Schöpe, Head of the International Energy Policy Cooperation Department in the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, Dr Bilun Müller, Desk Officer at the Department for International Energy Cooperation of the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, Sebastian Brökelmann, Head of Energy Affairs of the German Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Günter Rauer, the German Consul-General in Dubai, and Dr Dalia Abu Samra-Rohte, Deputy Director-General of the German-Emirati Joint Council on Industry and Commerce. This is one of a series of meetings with diplomatic and international delegations.

Al Tayer welcomed the delegation, stressing the importance of enhancing cooperation, and highlighting the economic, social and cultural relations between the UAE and Germany.

Al Tayer highlighted Dubai’s unique experience in the development of the renewable and the alternative energy sector, as well as the rationalisation of natural resources, and finding alternative solutions to traditional energy for sustainable development in Dubai. DEWA launched a series of ambitious programmes, projects, and initiatives, in pursuit of the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Plan 2021, which sets out a roadmap that includes ambitious initiatives and development projects that combine economic growth, sustainable energy and a clean and secure environment, to make Dubai a smart, sustainable and integrated city that achieves sustainability of resources, and provides a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, to ensure green growth and energy efficiency.

Al Tayer pointed out that through the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, DEWA will diversify its energy mix and expand clean energy to generate 7% of Dubai’s total power output by 2020, 25% by 2030, and 75% by 2050. Through this strategy, DEWA sees the future of the energy sector and is developing initiatives and projects to keep pace with the latest scientific and technological changes.

Al Tayer explained that the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the largest single-site solar power project in the world based on the Independent Power Producer model. It has a total investment of AED 50 billion, and will produce 1,000 MW by 2020 and 5,000 MW by 2030. Upon completion, the solar park will reduce over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually, supporting Dubai’s objectives for sustainable development and a green economy.

Al Tayer reviewed DEWA’s smart initiatives, which include Shams Dubai, which allows customers to install photovoltaic panels on their rooftops to generate electricity from solar power, and the Green Charger initiative, to establish the infrastructure for electric vehicle charging stations, to encourage the use of electric vehicles across Dubai, and the Smart Applications through Smart Meters and Grids initiative.

Al Tayer talked about the Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME), which will take place for the first time in Dubai. The first round will be in 2018, and the next in 2020, to coincide with Expo 2020 Dubai. He also mentioned Al-Sheraa, DEWA’s new headquarters, which are currently under construction, and are set to be the world’s largest and smartest government building, with solar panels, making it a net Zero Energy Building. He spoke about DEWA’s strategic projects in Hatta, which include the construction of a hydroelectric power station in the mountains next to the Hatta dam, with a capacity of 250MW, as well as several other development projects due to be completed within 5 years.

To conclude the visit, the German delegation thanked Al Tayer for his warm welcome and his detailed overview of DEWA’s projects and best global experiences in the energy sector.