Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has expanded its electricity distribution network with the commissioning of 1,530 new 11kV substations in 2024, a move aimed at meeting rising power demand driven by the emirate’s rapid urban and economic growth.
The state-owned utility said the latest additions represent an 8.2% increase compared with 2023 and bring the total number of medium-voltage substations (11kV and 6.6kV) across the city to 45,317 by the end of 2024.
The projects required more than 1 million man-hours, all completed in adherence with stringent health and safety standards, according to DEWA’s Managing Director and Chief Executive, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer.
The utility’s investment comes as Dubai accelerates development under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the 2040 Urban Master Plan. “We continue to enhance transmission and distribution networks based on electricity demand forecasts through to 2030, aligned with the emirate’s demographic and economic trajectory,” Al Tayer said.
He added that DEWA’s infrastructure expansion is backed by advanced technologies in power production, distribution and automation. “DEWA has achieved top rankings globally in over 10 key performance indicators,” Al Tayer noted, citing a transmission and distribution line loss rate of just 2.2%—well below the 6-7% average typically seen in Europe and the United States.
The network enhancements are intended to ensure stability and reliability as demand for power in Dubai continues to grow, driven by large-scale real estate development, population growth, and industrial expansion.
Rashid Bin Humaidan, Executive Vice President of Distribution Power at DEWA, said the utility is leveraging smart grid technologies and predictive maintenance systems to boost efficiency and reduce outages. “We are committed to the continuity of supply and increasing customer satisfaction by automating and future-proofing our network,” he said.
DEWA, which is listed on the Dubai Financial Market, is a key player in the UAE’s clean energy transition and has been scaling investments in renewables, smart grids, and efficiency measures as part of the country’s broader energy strategy.
