Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has unveiled plans to build three new 400 kilovolt (kV) substations over the next three years, with an allocated budget of Dh1 billion ($272 million).

The three substations will be added to Dewa’s already existing 21 substations, said a statement.

Dewa is working in adherence with its strategy to increase the efficiency of electricity services to support its facilities and future objectives, to raise the efficiency and reliability of its infrastructure, and contribute to economic growth and the prosperity of the emirate, it said.

“In adherence with the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Dewa’s vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility, we work to raise the capacity and efficiency of electricity grids, by developing world-class infrastructure to contribute to the sustainable development of the emirate," it said.

Dewa’s total production capacity reached 10,000 MW during 2016, while the peak demand for electricity was recorded at 7,982 MW, compared to 7,696 MW in 2015, reflecting a growth of four per cent. The three 400 kV substations will greatly contribute to Dewa’s efforts to meet the increasing demand for water and electricity in Dubai, it said.

"We have allocated a total investment of Dh65 billion ($17.7 billion) towards Dubai’s energy sector over the next five years, which will play a major role in supporting the growth of a green economy, and enhancing the UAE’s level of competitiveness in energy efficiency, and energy technologies,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa.

“Dewa currently serves over 788,824 customers, and achieved a 95 per cent rating for customer happiness during 2016. We plan to increase our total production capacity by establishing power plants in Hassyan, and at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, and expanding our power plants in Jebel Ali and Al Aweer. Sixteen 132/11 kV substations out of 224 were established during 2016. We will establish the other 113 substations over the next three years, with a total investment of more than Dh10 billion ($2,72 billion)," he said.

"When establishing new substations, we work according to the highest safety and quality standards, while adopting the latest and most advanced technology, to efficiently achieve Dubai’s economic objectives, and promote the sustainable development of the emirate,” concluded Al Tayer. - TradeArabia News Service