DEWA appoints Honeywell to deliver smart energy to Dubai
150,000 smart meters to be installed across Dubai
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has issued a statement announcing the appointment of Honeywell for a smart energy project. The project is said to be the first of its kind in the region and will enable Dubai to manage electricity use more effectively within residential sectors.
The project calls for Honeywell to deploy 150,000 smart meters across Dubai, which is in addition to the 250,000 smart meters that have already been deployed. The firm says its smart meters support DEWA’s commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency, and give customers access to detailed readings of both their current and historical energy usage. In doing so, the meters are said to help consumers better understand and control their consumption.
“The Smart Dubai initiative, launched in April 2013 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and DEWA’s three smart initiatives are fully-aligned to the Dubai Plan 2021, as they will all contribute to the four primary objectives to achieve a smart and sustainable city, as laid out in the Dubai Plan 2021. The first is for a smart, integrated and connected city: this will be directly supported by the Green Charger and Smart Grids initiatives. The second is that Dubai be sustainable with its resources, which is supported by the Shams Dubai initiative and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. DEWA is committed to ensuring the third objective, that environmental elements are clean, healthy and sustainable, by ensuring sustainability within its vision, mission and operations,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
The utility company has set ambitious targets for implementing advanced technologies in line with UAE Vision 2021 and the Dubai Plan 2021. DEWA expects to install more than one million smart meters by 2020, which will effectively cover the emirate.
The Smart Grid is a key component of DEWA’s strategy to develop advanced infrastructure to support Dubai’s efforts to become a smart city. In addition, it supports the Demand Side Management Strategy, to reduce energy and water use by 30% by 2030 and also supports the Dubai Plan 2021.
Norm Gilsdorf, Honeywell’s president for the Middle East, Russia, Turkey & Central Asia regions, commented: “We are proud to continue our strategic relationship with DEWA in our combined efforts to make Dubai smarter and more energy efficient. This is a significant opportunity for Honeywell in the region and we believe we are at the forefront of delivering technologies that enable a smarter future for the UAE and wider Middle East. We also congratulate DEWA on its achievements so far in driving sustainability and reducing water and electricity consumption. We look forward to working closely with DEWA to increase efficiency and promote smarter energy use.”
DEWA’s ongoing initiatives and awareness campaigns are said to have already helped reduce electricity consumption by 19% and water consumption by 28% in the residential sector between 2009 and 2016.
