DEWA is at the forefront of renewable energy initiatives in Dubai, delivering major projects and strategic partnerships

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) continues to strengthen its strategic partnerships, cementing its position as a prime investment destination. Through these partnerships, DEWA attracts innovative talent from a variety of fields within a solid business environment supported by an advanced legal and legislative framework, ambitious development plans, major projects and top-class infrastructure that meets the highest international standards.

DEWA currently has a number of projects underway based on the Independent Water and Power Producer (IWPP) model, with a total investment exceeding AED 43 billion. The organisation has established strategic partnerships with many local and international entities from both the government and private sectors. In recognition of its excellence in managing effective strategic relationships, DEWA was awarded the ISO 44001 certification for Joint Business Relationship Management by the British Standards Institute in 2019. DEWA is the first entity in the Middle East and Africa to achieve this certification.

Stakeholder satisfaction remains a key focus of DEWA’s strategy, as evidenced by a partner satisfaction rate exceeding 94% in 2023. The transition from a conventional Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model to an IWPP model has proven to be highly beneficial for DEWA, ​​attracting investments worth over AED 43 billion since 2014.

DEWA has pioneered the IWPP project management and implementation model, which has enabled it to deliver several sustainable projects, including the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the world’s largest single-site solar park with a planned production capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030. DEWA has also implemented the IWP model at the Hassyan Water Desalination Project, which uses solar-powered seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) technology.

The IWPP model offers significant social and economic benefits. DEWA has set new standards for solar power prices per kilowatt-hour, attracting significant investment from the private sector and foreign banks, thereby boosting the economy of Dubai and the UAE. The success of this model depends on effective governance, ensuring transparency, accountability and the rule of law to increase investor confidence and foster an attractive regulatory environment.

DEWA’s operational framework includes a dedicated Clean Energy and IPWP implementation department, overseeing the transition from traditional project management methods. This transition aligns DEWA with public-private partnership principles, focusing on employment and knowledge transfer to Emirati workers, which benefits the local community.

Collaboration between the government and the private sector is key to achieving Dubai’s aspirations and strengthening its position as a leading investment model that promotes economic growth and sustainable development. These efforts are key to Dubai’s journey to becoming one of the world’s top three economies, as outlined in the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), contributing to making the UAE a leading global economy by its centennial in 2071.

DEWA initiatives provide numerous opportunities for investors in a favorable business environment supported by advanced legislative and legal systems, ambitious development plans and high-quality infrastructure. This strategic approach has strengthened Dubai’s reputation as a major investment hub that promotes entrepreneurship and attracts innovative talent in all fields.

In addition to its major projects, DEWA organizes global events that bring together key decision-makers, officials and investors to explore investment opportunities and the latest research. DEWA’s R&D center at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is an example of successful collaboration between government and academia, working with institutions such as Stanford University, United Arab Emirates University, Khalifa University for Science, Technology and Research and the University of Sharjah to promote research into clean and renewable energy.

DEWA’s joint efforts aim to create an investment-friendly environment based on fairness and transparency that will drive the further development of Dubai and the UAE and their global competitiveness under visionary leadership.

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