Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has advanced its digital transformation with an expanded deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) in its smart grid network. The initiative is part of a broader AED 7 billion ($1.9 billion) investment aimed at improving operational efficiency and service reliability through 2035.

By the end of 2024, DEWA had rolled out over 1.2 million smart electricity meters and more than 1.1 million smart water meters across Dubai, achieving 100% smart meter coverage. The smart grid system supports real-time monitoring and data analysis to enhance performance across the distribution network.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, DEWA's Managing Director and CEO, highlighted that the utility's Distribution Network Smart Centre processes more than 15 million data points daily. This data is transformed into actionable insights using AI, big data, and machine learning--leading to faster diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and improved customer service.

In March 2025, DEWA announced its strategic roadmap to become the world's first AI-native utility, aligning with the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031. The move also supports Dubai's goal of becoming a global leader in digital innovation.

Dubai's electricity network performance now ranks among the best globally, with customers experiencing an average of just 0.94 minutes of service interruption in 2024--far below the 15-minute benchmark seen in leading European cities.

Source: economymiddleeast.com