DEWA draws a sustainable painting in Dubai through its green buildings

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) continues its efforts to support sustainable urban development in Dubai and achieve the goals of Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033 through a wide range of projects and programmes that accelerate the shift towards zero-energy buildings, establish a sustainable energy and water saving model, and conserve resources to support Dubai's accelerated economic growth without harming the environment and its resources.

"We work under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the best city to live in. We support Dubai's excellence, developmental and urban advancement, and seek to strengthen its pioneering achievements as the first city in the Arab world and the Middle East and North Africa to get the platinum rating in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Cities certification awarded by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). DEWA collaborates with the Emirates Green Building Council and various government and private entities to support its essential role in Dubai's success in achieving a significant reduction in carbon emissions. The Emirate has surpassed its Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy targets, with its carbon emissions reduction reaching 28.6% in 2024. DEWA is among the first to adopt the concept of green buildings in Dubai, and we are keen to increase the number of sustainable buildings that use modern ways of conserving natural resources, as well as adopt best practice in sustainable innovative design and the use of ecofriendly materials, in addition to using electricity and water more efficiently," said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

DEWA has implemented a number of energy efficiency projects, including the retrofitting of office buildings, transmission substations, pumping stations, reservoirs and power generation plants. DEWA uses innovative solutions to reduce consumption and continuously improve environmental performance. These efforts reflect DEWA’s vision to promote Dubai as an international hub for the green economy and sustainable innovation.

Al-Shera’a Building: a new sustainability icon in Dubai

Al-Shera’a building, DEWA’s new headquarters, is a sustainable architecture masterpiece. It will be the tallest, largest and smartest net-positive government building in the world. Al-Shera’a has been designed to receive a platinum rating by LEED and a golden rating from the WELL Building Standard. The new headquarters incorporates advanced technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), Big and Open Data, and artificial intelligence (AI), in addition to the latest renewable energy solutions, that add exceptional efficiency.

DEWA’s commitment to green buildings

DEWA applies the highest international and local standards for green buildings in all of its assets and is committed to improving the efficiency of the use of various resources – such as energy and water sources – during the actual life cycle of the building.

Green buildings

DEWA currently has 10 green buildings with an LEED rating, including the Accommodation Complex in Warsan, the first multifamily project in the world to receive this international certification by USGBC; the Sustainable Building in Al Quoz, the first sustainable government building in the UAE and the largest government building in the world in 2013 to receive a platinum rating for green buildings from LEED; the Sustainability and Innovation Centre; the Research and Development Centre; the Smart Grids Station (SGS); Moro Hub (Data Hub Integrated Solutions LLC); the Distribution Power Division Complex in Al Ruwayyah; Al Rayyan Mosque in Hatta; Jebel Ali Power and Desalination Complex; and Al Ruwayyah BMC building.