The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has been recognised as a global leader in innovation and creativity after winning eight international awards and honourable mentions in nine categories, at the awards ceremony in Arizona USA, at the 75th Ideas.America.

Dewa won three gold prizes in the Idea of the Year category, and Team Idea of the Year. Dewa also received three silver awards: the performance excellence for savings per implemented suggestion award, the annual net savings per eligible employee, and performance excellence for total dollars saved, reported Emirates news agency Wam.

Dewa also received a silver award for Safety Idea of the Year.

Dewa also received the bronze award for the Best Program Administrator, the Kudos Award, and honourable mentions for the participating team, and another in the Best Communication Excellence category, and an honourable mention in the Evaluator of the Year Award.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa, said: "Our efforts in innovation actively support our leadership’s initiatives to anticipate, shape the future, and prepare for changes. We are committed to implementing best practices, in accordance with the highest international standards, and constitute innovation in its core character.”

“In turn, this is strengthening Dewa’s leading position among service institutions, locally, regionally, and internationally. The awards received by Dewa, for its innovative initiatives and projects from prestigious international institutions, are a testament to its superiority in establishing innovation as a work method and a culture. Ideas America 2017, the world's largest platform for sharing best practices and innovative and creative ideas, is a product of continuous work and tireless efforts by teams that have adopted innovation and continuous development within their plans and strategies," said Al Tayer.

"Dewa provides all the opportunities to enhance and develop the knowledge and creativity of employees in a creative environment that stimulates creativity and innovation, and has raised the importance of innovation to 40 percent in its strategic plan. Dewa aims to focus on the future, the innovation and happiness of all stakeholders," added Al Tayer.