DEWA Signs MoA with DAFZA to Strengthen Cooperation for Smart Dubai Initiative

In the presence of HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy;  HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and HE Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director General of the Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA), signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) during the 19th Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2017), which is organised by DEWA at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation between the two parties to achieve the goals of the Smart Dubai initiative, which was launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world.

The MoA calls for strengthening cooperation, combining efforts, uniting capabilities and resources, exchanging knowledge and ideas and facilitating effective communication to implement DEWA’s smart initiatives that support the Smart Dubai initiative, at DAFZA. These are Shams Dubai, Smart Applications through Smart Meters and Grids and the Green Charger initiatives. Shams Dubai encourages customers to install photovoltaic solar panels on their rooftops to generate electricity from solar power and export any excess back to the power grid. The smart applications initiative uses smart networks to respond quickly in reconnecting to the power supply. The initiative also supports the smart rationalisation of energy consumption using smart meters. This allows on-the-spot monitoring of consumption details, anytime, anywhere, and supports sustainability of resources. The Green Charger initiative aims to build infrastructure and charging stations for electric cars.

“This agreement comes in line with efforts to strengthen cooperation and consolidate the efforts of government entities in Dubai to achieve the goals of 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 make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world. We contribute to this initiative by implementing the three smart initiatives we launched to further drive Dubai’s smart transformation and implement the sustainable initiatives and programmes in Dubai,” said Al Tayer.

“DEWA adopts an integrated strategy and creative plans to attract the latest solutions and technological systems and implement them to achieve the Dubai Plan 2021, which aims to make Dubai a smart, integrated, and connected city and DEWA’s vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility,” added Al Tayer.

Al Zarooni noted that the agreement with DEWA is key to building solid foundations for making technology and innovation a driver for Dubai as the world's smartest city. He emphasised that it paves the way for new horizons in excellence by providing innovative and smart services that ensure the quality of life in Dubai.

“As HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai once observed, ‘Our goal is to improve the quality of life as we aim to harness technology for the establishment of a new reality in the city of Dubai, a different life, and a different development model,’ ” said Al Zarooni.

“At DAFZA, we have always been keen on improving the quality of services, adopting excellence, innovation and smart transformation to take the lead, reinforcing our role in supporting the overall economic renaissance and making Dubai a central player in shaping the new era. This agreement reflects our mission in providing quality services and applying best practices, in order to provide an exceptional and sustainable experience for the free zone investors within a unique, creative, and positive work environment. We look forward to working with DEWA to harness the creative and technological potential to serve the objectives of Smart Dubai, and realise the aspirations to position the UAE at the top position globally,” concluded Al Zarooni.