DEWA Commissions 1,530 New Distribution Substations in 2024, Expanding Dubai’s Energy Infrastructure

Dubai, UAE: In a major step toward supporting Dubai’s rapid economic and urban development, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) announced the successful commissioning of 1,530 new 11 kV distribution substations throughout the emirate in 2024. This marks an impressive 8.2% increase over the previous year, reflecting the city's dynamic growth and rising demand for electricity.

The announcement was made by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, who emphasized that the expansion aligns with Dubai’s long-term vision of becoming a global benchmark in smart infrastructure and sustainability.

Over 1 Million Safe Man-Hours Dedicated to Infrastructure Growth

The construction and activation of these substations required 1,070,670 man-hours of meticulous planning and execution, all completed while maintaining the highest standards of health, safety, and efficiency. This achievement further solidifies DEWA’s reputation as a global leader in delivering complex energy projects with exceptional reliability and safety records.

By the end of 2024, DEWA reported a total of 45,317 medium-voltage substations (11 kV and 6.6 kV) operational across Dubai, providing a robust backbone for the city’s expanding residential, commercial, and industrial needs.

Powering Dubai’s Vision: D33 and the 2040 Urban Master Plan

“This significant growth in our distribution network reflects our unwavering commitment to making Dubai a global model of advanced infrastructure,” said Al Tayer. “Guided by the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, we are strengthening our transmission and distribution systems based on forward-looking electricity demand forecasts up to 2030.”

Al Tayer also noted that DEWA’s forward-thinking strategies and technological innovations have earned it global acclaim, placing the utility in top positions worldwide across more than 10 key performance indicators (KPIs) related to energy production, transmission, and distribution.

DEWA’s Energy Efficiency Leads Globally

One of the most notable achievements shared by Al Tayer is DEWA’s success in minimizing electricity line losses to just 2.2%, a figure significantly lower than the 6% to 7% average in Europe and the United States. This exceptional performance underscores DEWA’s role as a global model for energy efficiency, sustainability, and operational excellence.

Smart Systems and International Collaboration for Reliable Power

Rashid Bin Humaidan, Executive Vice President of Distribution Power at DEWA, highlighted the organization’s ongoing efforts to future-proof Dubai’s energy infrastructure. “We leverage cutting-edge technologies and smart systems to automate and optimize our distribution networks. By collaborating with leading global energy firms, we ensure our operations meet the highest standards of availability, reliability, and sustainability,” he explained.

Bin Humaidan added that DEWA continues to implement proactive maintenance strategies and advanced outage management systems to minimize disruptions and maximize customer satisfaction. These efforts contribute directly to maintaining a stable and continuous power supply for homes, businesses, and industries throughout the emirate.

Ensuring a Brighter, More Sustainable Future

DEWA’s forward momentum reflects its vital role in supporting Dubai’s journey toward becoming one of the smartest and most sustainable cities in the world. As electricity demand continues to rise in line with the city’s demographic and economic expansion, DEWA remains firmly committed to delivering reliable, sustainable, and technologically advanced energy solutions.

DEWA Commissions 1,530 New Distribution Substations in 2024, Expanding Dubai’s Energy Infrastructure