DEWA strengthens sustainability ties with Karakalpakstan

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), welcomed a high-level delegation from Karakalpakstan, an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan, led by HE Amanbai Orynbaev, Chairman of the Jokargy Kenes (Supreme Council), and HE Vladimir Jollibekov, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade.

Al Tayer highlighted DEWA’s most prominent achievements, starting with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the world’s largest single-site solar park. The concentrated solar power project within the fourth phase of the solar park recently achieved a new Guinness World Record for the highest capacity single-operator concentrated solar power plant at 700 megawatts (MW). The solar park is set to reach a capacity of 7,260MW by 2030, further supporting the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050.

He reaffirmed DEWA's commitment to innovation-driven sustainability, with the goal of positioning Dubai as a global model for environmental conservation. DEWA's initiatives, which include advanced technologies and forward-thinking policies, have significantly contributed to economic growth and the development of vital sectors across different areas.

Al Tayer also pointed out that DEWA had attained top spot globally in 12 key performance indicators across its areas of work. These include the reduction of electricity transmission and distribution network losses to 2%, compared to 6%-7% in Europe and the US, and water network losses of 4.5%, compared to around 15% in North America. DEWA also set a new world record in electricity customer minutes lost per year, at 0.94 minutes, compared to around 15 minutes for leading utility companies in the EU.

Emphasising DEWA’s role as a global sustainability leader, Al Tayer said the collaboration with Karakalpakstan reflects DEWA’s commitment to sharing expertise in sustainable innovation. By leveraging advancements in solar energy, water desalination technologies, DEWA aims to support global efforts to combat climate change and foster resilient ecosystems.

DEWA’s advanced desalination infrastructure also emerged as a key area of interest for Karakalpakstan, given its potential to address water scarcity in Central Asia. With a daily production capacity of 495 million imperial gallons of desalinated water, DEWA is transitioning to power 100% of its desalination processes using clean energy by 2030, exceeding global targets and saving costs while reducing carbon emissions. This innovative approach provides a scalable solution to one of the region's most pressing environmental challenges.

The two parties explored opportunities to align Karakalpakstan’s ecological priorities, particularly in the Aral Sea region, with DEWA’s groundbreaking efforts in clean energy, sustainable water management and climate resilience strategies.