Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) | honours its local and international strategic partners

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), has honoured its strategic partners from local and international public and private sectors, in recognition of their efforts and continuous collaboration. DEWA organised a special ceremony at the Armani hotel in Dubai, attended by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA; Executive Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents of DEWA; representatives from government and private organisations and the media.

The ceremony was attended by Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai; Major General Rashid Thani Al Matrooshi, Director General of Dubai Civil Defence; HE Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director General of the Government of Dubai’s Department of Finance; HE Sultan Butti bin Mejren, Director General of Dubai Land Department; HE Mohammed Abdulla Ahli, Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; HE Khalifa Aldrai, Executive Director of Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services​​​​​; HE Major General Mohammed Saeed Bakhit, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of Community Affairs and Facilities at Dubai Police; HE Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation; HE Ahmad bin Meshar, Secretary General of the Supreme Legislation Committee in Dubai; Wesam Lootah, CEO of the Smart Dubai Government Establishment; HE Saif Humaid Al Falasi, CEO of Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC); HE Ahmad Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy; HE Sultan Alwan Al Habsi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Regions Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment; HE Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Director General of Dubai Electronic Security Centre; HE Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar); HE Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director of the Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau; HE Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director of Emaar Properties; and a large number of officials from the public and private sectors.

In his keynote speech at the ceremony, Al Tayer commended the partners’ efforts that contributed to DEWA’s achievements and its competitiveness as one of the best utilities in the world.

“During the Year of Zayed 2018, which marked the centennial birth of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, we accomplished many key achievements that support the vision and directives of the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; to encourage cooperation and integration between the government and private sectors. One of the key achievements of last year was that the UAE, represented by DEWA, maintained its first global position for the second year in a row. DEWA recorded 100% in all indicators for Getting Electricity in the World Bank's Doing Business 2019 report, which measures the ease of doing business in 190 economies around the world. Our joint efforts with other government departments and organisations have contributed to improving the UAE’s overall global ranking from 21st place last year to 11th this year,” said Al Tayer.

“The eight principles of governance in Dubai, announced by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, state that Dubai’s growth is driven by three factors: a credible, resilient and excellent government; an active, fair and open private sector; and public and government-owned flagship companies that compete globally. Dubai is a disciplined society, committed to its promises, timelines and covenants, which is respectful and coherent, bound by tolerance and openness. At DEWA, we are guided by these principles in our relationship with our partners from the government and private sectors. We are committed to building constructive relationships within a conducive environment that encourages cooperation and joint work. This is based on our understanding that integration and concerted efforts by government and private organisations are key pillars for success and excellence,” he added.

“In Dubai, we work in the spirit of one team. Government organisations complement each other and enter into key strategic partnerships with the private sector, making the Emirate a global role model for successful and distinguished partnerships. At DEWA, we collaborate with our partners from the local, regional, and international government and private sector to implement major projects. The most prominent of these is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar power project in the world, based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. Set to produce 5,000 megawatts by 2030, the solar park is one of the key projects to achieve the objectives of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to generate 75% of Dubai's total power output from clean energy sources by 2050. Since the solar park was launched, its projects have attracted the interest of international developers, which reflects the trust and interest from investors in large projects adopted by Dubai Government, encouraged by the favourable existing regulations and laws in Dubai. DEWA has attracted major investments to the UAE from the private sector and foreign banks. Currently, DEWA has over 4,000 MW of IPP projects in the pipeline, in partnership with the private sector. Over the next five years, investments in energy projects in Dubai will amount to AED 86 billion, around AED 40 billion of which are investments from the private sector,” added Al Tayer.

“I appreciate your presence today, and I look forward to strengthening our strategic relationship in line with our shared vision to promote the sustainable development of Dubai and the UAE. I hope that our partnerships continue to flourish in the Year of Tolerance 2019 for the good, prosperity and competitiveness of the UAE and the happiness of all citizens and residents,” concluded Al Tayer.

DEWA’s partners include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; the Ministry of Energy and Industry, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority. It also includes the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),  the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), The Executive Council of Dubai, the Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai, Directorate General of Civil Defence, Dubai Land Department, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Media Incorporated, Dubai Smart Government, Dubai Economy, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Department of Finance, The Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department, Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau, Dubai Government Media Office, the Department of Energy Abu Dhabi, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment, the Dubai Future Foundation, Dubai Airports, Dubai Airport Free Zone, the Supreme Legislation Committee, and Dubai Nuclear Energy Committee, as well as the United Arab Emirates University, DP World, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Electronic Security Centre, Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence, and Emirates Green Building Council. Other partners include Emirates Global Aluminium, Cambridge University, Emirates NBD, French Electricity Company (Électricité de France), Innogy, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, TECOM, Siemens, Microsoft, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), General Electric, ENEL, Nakheel, Emaar, Meeras, Meydan, Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), ABB Group, Dubai Supply Authority (DUSUP), SAP MENA, Mitsubishi Corporation, Cisco, and IBM Middle East.