The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has installed new smart meters at a number of buildings in Hatta in line with international standards. The utilities firm says it installed 1,849 electricity meters and 1,543 water meters, as part of its Smart Applications through Smart Meters and Grids initiative.
DEWA has also implemented several smart procedures within its network and is now using SCADA systems, smart monitoring devices along with control and automation systems to provide electricity and water services to the highest standards. The firm says it will have over 1.2-million smart meters in Dubai by 2020.
“This achievement is a result of the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and his contribution to the Hatta Comprehensive Development Plan, which is part of DEWA’s strategic plan to automate its operations and develop the meter system to ensure competitiveness and excellence in its services,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
Al Tayer noted that the Smart Grid is a key part of DEWA’s strategy to develop advanced infrastructure in line with Dubai’s efforts to become a smart and happy city. The Smart Grids are said to enhance efficiency and allows consumers to optimise consumption of energy and water.
“In addition, it supports the Demand Side Management Strategy, to reduce energy and water use to 30% by 2030, and also supports the Dubai Plan 2021. The Smart Grid includes plans and programmes with investments totaling $1.9bn on 11 programmes to be completed in the short-, medium-, and long-term between 2014 and 2035,” added Al Tayer.
DEWA has also started to build a hydroelectric powerplant in the mountains adjacent to the Hatta dam, along with multiple other projects all due for completion within five years. The project is the first of its kind in the region and is said to have a capacity of 250MW. The utilities firm says it is involved in other projects and initiatives in Hatta, in addition to the Shams Dubai initiative.