DEWA and Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation strengthen collaboration to support knowledge economy

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), welcomed a delegation led by HE Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, to explore ways to enhance collaboration and expand the strategic partnership between the two entities.

The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts to consolidate strategic partnerships that support sustainable development and the advancement of a knowledge-based economy, in line with national directives and efforts to strengthen institutional integration, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leading global hub for knowledge and innovation.

The meeting was attended by Waleed bin Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence, and Marwan Bin Haidar, Executive Vice President of Innovation and the Future at DEWA.

During the meeting, Al Tayer commended the strong strategic collaboration between DEWA and the foundation, reaffirming DEWA’s commitment to supporting the vision of the wise leadership to position Dubai as a global hub for knowledge creation and application, in support of sustainable development.

Al Tayer highlighted DEWA’s active participation in the Knowledge Summit, held annually under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Organised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the summit underscores the UAE’s vital role in leading global dialogue and building strategic partnerships that shape the future of knowledge-based societies.

Al Tayer emphasised that innovation, science and knowledge are key pillars for empowering Emiratis to contribute effectively to a sustainable future. He added that the Knowledge Summit serves as a prominent global platform for exchanging insights on the knowledge economy and sustainable development.

“We value our long-standing strategic partnership with DEWA, which represents an advanced model of institutional integration in supporting the development of a sustainable, knowledge-based economy. At the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, we work to expand the scope of this collaboration to enhance knowledge production and application, while supporting the UAE’s directives to strengthen innovation and sustainability as key pillars of development,” said Bin Huwaireb.

“We believe that integrating efforts with leading national entities, particularly DEWA, helps to accelerate the adoption of future technologies, build qualified human capabilities and strengthen Dubai’s position as a global hub for knowledge production and exchange. This, in turn, enhances the UAE’s global competitiveness and leadership,” he added.

Collaboration between the two entities includes specialised workshops for DEWA employees on foresight tools and artificial intelligence technologies, as part of the Arab Professionals Forum launched by the foundation. The initiative aims to foster knowledge exchange, anticipate future trends and keep pace with Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies such as robotics, the Internet of Things and 3D printing.

During the Knowledge Summit held in November 2025, DEWA showcased its key projects and initiatives supporting sustainability, innovation and the knowledge economy, including the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park – the world’s largest single-site solar park based on the independent power producer model – with a current capacity of 3,860 megawatts (MW). Clean energy represents 21.5% of DEWA’s installed capacity, with the solar park’s total capacity set to exceed 8,000MW by 2030, compared to the original plan of 5,000 MW, reducing 8.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually, up from 6.5 million originally.

DEWA also highlighted its Research and Development Centre, which enhances Dubai’s position as a global hub for research and development in solar power, smart grids, energy and water efficiency, and capacity building in these areas. The centre has published more than 350 Scopus-indexed scientific and research papers since its launch across several international scientific conferences, peer-reviewed journals and periodicals.