DEWA enters Guinness World Records for the world’s largest tile mosaic

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), received a certificate from an official adjudicator at Guinness World Records for the ‘Zayed and Rashid Mural’, which has been recognised as the world’s largest tile mosaic (image). The mosaic, which was inaugurated by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in December 2024, recreates a historical photograph of the Founding Fathers, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, may their souls rest in peace, dating back to the foundation of the UAE.

The monumental artwork spans 2,198.70 square metres and was handcrafted by over 100 local and international artisans using 1.2 million pieces. The project was implemented on the slope of the Hatta Dam falls through a collaboration between DEWA and Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office.

“This mosaic, the largest of its kind in the world, reflects the esteemed status of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. It adds historical and national value to the Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls, a tourism project developed by DEWA on the slope of the Hatta Dam. The artwork also demonstrates the deep appreciation held by the people of the UAE and, indeed, by people around the world for the lasting contributions of these two great national figures. It highlights the values of union, innovation and creativity, as well as the pioneering role of the Founding Fathers in laying the foundations of comprehensive and sustainable development in the UAE,” said Al Tayer.

DEWA implemented the Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls project as a distinctive tourist destination, at a cost of approximately AED 60 million, as part of its social responsibility. The authority continues to develop innovative and ambitious projects in Hatta, aiming to enhance sustainability, position Dubai as a global model for clean energy and the green economy, and promote ecotourism in the UAE.

Innovative design

Water at the falls flows over the mosaic into a natural canal, dividing the project into four main oases surrounded by four 120-square-metre restaurants, six 82-square-metre cafes and four 36-square-metre retail stores. The design is inspired by the hexagonal shape of a beehive, reflecting Hatta’s global recognition for high-quality honey. The oases are connected by bridges crossing the canal, creating a vibrant and picturesque setting for visitors to enjoy.

Hydroelectric Power Plant in Hatta

In support of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100% of the emirate’s energy production capacity from clean sources by 2050, DEWA is implementing a 250MW pumped-storage hydroelectric power station in Hatta. It is the first of its kind in the GCC, with a storage capacity of 1,500 MWh and a life span of 80 years. The plant will use water from the Hatta Dam and an upper reservoir built in the mountain. Advanced turbines will use clean energy to pump water to the upper reservoir, while turbines spun by the returning water will generate electricity through a 1,200-metre subterranean canal, with a high efficiency of 78.9% and a rapid 90-second response to electricity demand.