Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has announced plans to float tenders for more than 57 new 132 kV substations and lay 160 km of underground cables over the next three years. 

 

The state utility said on Monday that it had commissioned four 132kV substations during the first half with a total capacity of 450 megavolt-amperes (MVA) and a cost of AED725 million. The projects included the installation of 228 km of transmission cables. 

 

Dewa Managing Director and CEO Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer said it had invested more than AED7.6 billion ($2.07 billion) in electricity transmission projects, as part of efforts to meet growing demand across the emirate.

 

A total of 49 new 132 kV substations and two 400 kV substations are currently under construction. The utility is also inviting bids from contractors for 11 additional 132 kV substations.

 

Hussain Lootah, Executive Vice President of Transmission Power, said the new facilities will support electricity needs in several areas, including Al Yalayis 5, Hatta and Warsan 4. By the end of June 2025, Dewa’s transmission network included 391 substations – 27 at 400 kV and 364 at 132 kV.

 

The latest projects involved more than 4.5 million working hours and were built using digital technologies.

 

Dewa had awarded AED1.1 billion in contracts to construct 10 new 132 kV substations in areas such as Al Barsha South 2, Business Bay and Dubai Silicon Oasis, stated Lootah. 

 

An additional AED288 million was awarded for 60.6 km of 132 kV cabling to connect the new substations to the main grid, he added.-TradeArabia News Service