DEWA launches 11 substations worth Dhs1.715bn, IPP projects attract $10.9bn

During the first half of 2022, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) commissioned a new 400/132 kV substation in Al Qusais Industrial Area 5, and ten 132/11 kV substations in different areas in Dubai.

This is part of DEWA’s efforts to provide an advanced infrastructure that keeps pace with the increasing demand for energy in Dubai. The substations have a total conversion capacity of 3500 megavolt-amperes (MVA). The projects included 400kV overhead lines and 132kV underground cables totalling 100 kilometres to connect them with DEWA’s network.

The total cost of these substations reached Dhs1.715bn, with over 21 million safe working hours without injuries in accordance with the highest standards of security, health, and safety.

.@DEWAOfficial commissions one 400/132 kV and ten 132/11 kV substations in H1 of 2022 at a total cost of AED 1.715 billionhttps://t.co/iNTx8lYbXz pic.twitter.com/HJ8KnPksk0

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 18, 2022

“Commissioning the new substations is part of DEWA’s efforts to increase the capacity and efficiency of the power transmission network in the area and meet the requirements of customers, developers, and the business sector,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

Al Tayer noted that the total value of DEWA’s investments between 2021 and 2024 is Dhs10bn. This includes Dhs2bn for 400 kV transmission projects and Dhs8bn for 132 kV projects. He explained that DEWA increases the capacity of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution networks based on the demand forecast up to 2031. These plans are implemented according to the highest quality standards while optimising resources.

Read: Dubai’s DEWA launches automatic smart grid restoration system

Hussain Lootah, executive VP of Transmission Power at DEWA, said “This is part of DEWA’s efforts to promote digital transformation in all its operations and services. Inaugurating these substations increases the total number of 400 kV substations currently in service to 26, and the total number of 132 kV substations to 329.”

The 400/132 kV substation was implemented in Al Qusais Industrial Area 5, while the 132/11 kV substations are located in Al Barsha South, Jebel Ali, Al Furjan, Al Merkad, Business Bay, Umm Hurair, Wadi Al Safa, Oud Al Muteena, Al Riqqa, and Al Wasl.

.@DEWAOfficial’s IPP projects enhance promising investments flow to the #UAE and #Dubai https://t.co/EGBxBQj6pu pic.twitter.com/bG0jArjLC5

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 17, 2022

He said that that the IPP model encourages partnership between the public and private sectors. Through this model, DEWA has achieved world-class results and developed a new benchmark for solar energy prices for every kilowatt hour, thus making Dubai a global benchmark for solar energy prices.

DEWA attracted promising investments to the UAE from the private sector and foreign banks, which led to an increase in cash flow to the economy of Dubai and the UAE. DEWA’s key projects using the IPP model include Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, Hassyan Power Complex and Hassyan Desalination Plant.

Read: DEWA concludes digital integration of over 70 projects with different entities