Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in energy distribution to improve network efficiency and service reliability. The initiative is part of DEWA's digital transformation strategy, with AED7 billion ($1.9 billon) in investments backed by a smart grid to ensure seamless, integrated, and round-the-clock services through 2035.

 

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, noted that DEWA’s Distribution Network Smart Centre analyses over 15 million units of data collected daily from the distribution network, converting this data into insight reports and interactive dashboards to support data-driven decision-making.

 

The centre also leverages Big Data, AI and machine learning to provide diagnostic and analytical services, thereby enhancing immediate, proactive maintenance responses and promoting customer satisfaction.

 

“Our projects and initiatives contribute to consolidating Dubai's position as a globally leading city in adopting AI solutions and advanced digital technologies. Deploying AI in the energy distribution sector is part of our efforts to enhance the efficiency of the smart grid and strengthen our operational readiness. Our adoption of disruptive technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has helped us achieve the world’s lowest rate of electricity customer minutes lost. In 2024, Dubai recorded just 0.94 minutes per customer, significantly lower than the 15-minute average of leading European utilities,” said Al Tayer.

 

By the end of 2024, there were sixty-nine 33kV substations and 45,317 medium-voltage (11kV and 6.6kV) substations.

 

To keep pace with Dubai’s growing electricity demand driven by economic and urban development, DEWA deployed 1,202,411 smart electricity meters and 1,103,901 smart water meters across the emirate. With 100% of customers using smart meters, this supports DEWA’s smart electricity and water networks. -TradeArabia News Service