A holistic view of the energy sector is driving innovation at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), said its top official on day three of the sixth World Government Summit (WGS 2018) in Dubai, UAE.

Dewa’s holistic approach to utilities management focuses on three main themes – a commitment to more clean energy, water desalination through solar power, and disruption by digitization, stated Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the managing director and chief executive of Dewa while speaking at a session titled ‘How Innovation Is Shaping the Future.’

This approach is helping anticipate and shape the future of energy, and create an innovative model of future utilities in line with the UAE’s development objectives, he added.  

Al Tayer elaborated on these objectives that include an ambitious plant for clean energy to meet 75 per cent of Dubai’s energy needs by 2050. Currently, 4,200 MW are generated from solar energy, primarily solar panels.

He also highlighted Dewa’s world record in terms of electricity spending, from 3.3 to 2.6 minutes per capita, and the pumped storage station project being built in Hatta, which will have a storage capacity of 250MW.

Lauding Dubai as a global model for clean energy and green economy, Al Tayer said it embraces the Fourth Industrial Revolution and disruptive technologies, such as the Internet of Things, blockchain, drones and artificial intelligence.

A short video rounded off the presentation, highlighting Dewa’s objectives and ambitions.

"I am here to forecast the future of the energy sector through the Dewa experience and share with you our success story, achieved through our commitment to the guidance and insights we have received from our wise leadership, which has proven to be a leading example to be followed in all countries of the world," he added.

Al Tayer said Dewa was working to achieve the objectives of the UAE Centennial 2071 and Vision 2021, and its holistic view was comprehensive.

"With our initiatives, we can drive production of clean energy, reduction in carbon usage and also reduction in costs. The focus on solar power and energy storage is very important, especially in this region," he added.-TradeArabia News Service