Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) has completed the installation of smart meters for all its customers across the UAE, achieving a major milestone in the utility’s digital transformation strategy.
With 100% of its customers now equipped with smart meters, approximately 40% of these meters are currently integrated with EtihadWE’s smart systems, allowing customers to monitor their consumption in real time.
Speaking on the sidelines of GITEX Global 2024, Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, CEO of EtihadWE, announced that the company is working toward full integration of all meters with its smart systems by the end of 2025—accelerating its original target of 2026.
The rollout of smart meters is expected to improve the quality and efficiency of services provided by EtihadWE. Al Ali noted that the new technology will enhance customer control over energy and water consumption, allowing them to receive instant updates on their usage patterns, set consumption limits, and detect issues such as leaks or technical faults early on.
“This is an important step in our commitment to harnessing digital technologies to enhance the services we offer our customers,” Al Ali said. “We are moving ahead of schedule to fully integrate all smart meters with our systems, aiming for 100% integration by the end of 2025.”
Al Ali explained that the integration of smart meters with EtihadWE’s systems has already been a game-changer for both customers and the utility.
By enabling real-time tracking of energy and water usage, the technology has helped improve operational efficiency, reduce losses due to undetected leaks, and increase overall service reliability.
EtihadWE’s smart meter rollout is part of the utility’s broader strategy to incorporate digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) into its daily operations.
Al Ali noted that digital solutions, particularly AI, have become integral to EtihadWE’s ability to deliver cutting-edge services. He added that the integration of smart meters with AI systems can provide predictive insights, enabling the utility to perform preventative maintenance, identify emerging problems, and respond more quickly to any disruptions.
One of the key advantages of the smart meters is their ability to provide consumption data in real time, which allows both customers and the utility to detect inefficiencies or abnormal consumption patterns.
For instance, if there’s an unexpected surge in water use that could indicate a leak, customers will receive an immediate alert, enabling them to address the issue before it leads to substantial water loss or damage.
Al Ali also gave a brief about EtihadWE’s strategic partnership with Khazna, a major player in the data center sector. Together, they are developing one of the largest AI-focused data centers in the Middle East, located in the Emirate of Ajman. This facility will rely heavily on advanced AI technologies to process vast amounts of data generated by smart meters and other digital infrastructure.
“EtihadWE will serve as the primary electricity provider for this AI-driven data center,” Al Ali said. “Our partnership with Khazna highlights our ongoing commitment to embracing AI and smart technologies to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.”
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, have launched extensive smart metering programs as part of their broader digital transformation efforts. The programs align with the region’s ambitions to diversify energy resources, reduce carbon emissions, and achieve greater energy efficiency.
Smart meters bring significant advantages for both utility providers and customers. For utilities, they improve data accuracy, enhance demand management, and quickly detect faults, leading to more efficient distribution of electricity and water, reducing waste, and ensuring reliable service.
For customers, smart meters offer real-time data that helps control consumption, reduce waste, and lower bills. They also provide transparency by allowing users to track consumption patterns and set limits or alerts.
In the GCC, smart meter adoption is driven by government initiatives such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aim to reduce energy consumption and promote sustainability through advanced infrastructure.
Smart meter technology has rapidly evolved in recent years, incorporating advancements in AI, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT). The technologies have made smart meters far more capable, allowing utilities to monitor and manage consumption patterns in real time.
