Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) | DEWA receives over 500 applications from start-ups in 65 countries for 2nd Free Electrons programme

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has received over 500 applications from start-ups from 65 countries in the 2nd Free Electrons programme. This is a global energy accelerator programme that encourages start-ups to develop innovative energy solutions. The applications cover different areas, including 22% for clean energy, 15% for the Internet of Things (IoT) and digitisation, 12% for energy efficiency, and 7% for smart grids. DEWA received 84 applications from the USA, 30 from Brazil, 29 from India, 24 from Australia, and 23 from Spain, Germany and the UK, 14 from Portugal, one application from the UAE, as well as applications from Palestine, Ireland, France and the Netherlands. DEWA will select 12 start-ups after studying their innovative solutions and technologies, and conducting field visits to meet investors and sign contracts.

“In all our programmes and initiatives, we are guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to look ahead into the future and predict and shape it by being proactive in innovating and employing future technologies to bring about development and growth, and build a knowledge-based economy. As part of our commitment to adopt innovation, and keep pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, our efforts to develop disruptive technologies and strengthen Dubai's position to shape the future of energy, we participate in the Free Electrons programme to join hands with some of the world's leading energy organisations, to provide an integrated framework to enhance international cooperation to support and encourage innovation, develop effective solutions to current and future challenges, anticipate opportunities, and enhance innovation in renewable and clean energy. The 2nd programme will develop innovative solutions in clean energy, energy efficiency, digitisation, customer services and others,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

“We are pleased with the wide participation in the 2nd Free Electrons programme, especially after the success of the first one, which supports DEWA’s efforts to promote creativity and innovation in the energy sector. The programme provides an integrated framework to strengthen international cooperation among major service providers and emerging energy companies to find effective solutions to meet the world's future energy needs. It is a unique opportunity for start-ups to exchange information and knowledge and expand to new markets around the world,” added Al Tayer.

DEWA is a key member of the international coalition that supports the programme. The Free Electrons programme includes AusNet from Australia, ESB from Ireland, EDP from Portugal, innogy from the European Union, Origin from Australia, Singapore Power, TEPCO from Japan, American Electric Power from the USA, and Beta-i from Portugal.

The Free Electrons accelerator programme was used as an academic case study for graduate studies at the Stanford University Business School, the University of Melbourne and the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland, where the studies focused on the methodology and approach of the programme in research and development.