Dubai has set a new global benchmark for electricity supply reliability, with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) reporting an unprecedented low in Customer Minutes Lost (CML). In 2023, the average DEWA customer experienced just 1.06 minutes of power outage, improving upon the previous year’s record of 1.19 minutes and significantly outperforming the average CML in the European Union, which stands at approximately 15 minutes.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, attributed this achievement to the strategic development of energy and water infrastructure in Dubai, aligning with the visionary leadership of the UAE. Al Tayer emphasized that the record-low CML reflects DEWA’s commitment to innovation and smart management of facilities and services through an integrated smart grid.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, announced that DEWA has achieved the lowest electricity Customer Minutes Lost (CML) in the world in 2023. #DEWANews pic.twitter.com/b34Boa5IEj
— DEWA | Official Page (@DEWAOfficial) January 22, 2024
DEWA’s success in minimizing power outages is largely due to its adoption of cutting-edge technologies from the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, energy storage, and the Internet of Things (IoT) ensures the provision of electricity and water services that meet the highest standards of availability, reliability, efficiency, and sustainability. These technological advancements also bolster DEWA’s capacity to meet the growing demand for electricity and water in Dubai.
The implementation of a smart grid, representing an investment of AED7 billion ($1.91 billion), plays a crucial role in this achievement. The smart grid offers advanced features, including automated decision-making and interoperability throughout the electricity and water network, ensuring seamless, rapid, and efficient operations.
A cornerstone of this system is the Automatic Smart Grid Restoration System, a pioneering initiative in the MENA region. Operating autonomously 24/7, the system promptly identifies faults in the power network, isolates them, and restores service without human intervention.