The present organisation traces its origins to 1959, when the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum founded the first national electricity and water agencies.

The Dubai Electricity Company established its first two generating stations, A and B, between 1961 and 1973, with a total capacity of 60 megawatts (MW).

In 1992, the Dubai Electricity Company and Dubai Water Department were merged to form DEWA.

In 2022, DEWA listed on the Dubai Financial Market, a key Dubai stock exchange, becoming the emirate’s first government entity to go public.

The company’s initial public offering was the largest in Europe and the Middle East in three years, and valued DEWA at more than US$33 billion.

The company has grown to employ a workforce of around 11,000 staff across the emirate.

DEWA received several Guinness World Records. Particularly, DEWA received the Guinness World Record for owning and operating the world’s largest single-site water desalination facility: the Jebel Ali Power Generation and Water Production Complex.

The Jebel Ali complex also achieved the Guinness World Record as the largest single-site natural gas power generation facility in the world.

The firm hosts the annual Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition in Dubai – the largest showcase for sustainability and clean energy technologies in the region.

DEWA organises the regular World Green Economy Summit (WGES), one of the leading global forums on the green economy, bringing together experts in critical sectors to drive dialogue and action.

In 2022, DEWA received the BSI Kitemark certification for Innovation Management, cementing its role as a leading global innovator.

In 2024, DEWA has been rated the world’s top energy utility for agile operations, following an assessment of its leadership and employees by the International Business Agility Institute.

In 2024, DEWA’s annual revenue increased by 6.18%, to AED 30.98 billion (US$8.43 billion) and a gross profit of AED 7.98 billion (US$2.17 billion).

According to a benchmarking study conducted by a renowned international consultant, DEWA ranks firs globally in more than ten Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in its areas of work. These include reducing electricity network losses to 2.0%, losses in the water network to 4.6%, and Customer Minutes Lost (CML) to just 1.06 minutes per customer annually.

Also, the firm has achieved some of the highest fuel consumption efficiency rates in the world, delivering about 90% production efficiency.

DEWA’s Moro Hub has been recognised as the largest solar-powered data centre in the world, with floor space of more than 16,000 square metres.

In 2022, DEWA reduced maintenance outages for key inspection operations from 11 days to 9 days; in doing so, it broke its own world record set in 2019.

DEWA has an installed capacity of 17.579 gigawatts (GW) of electricity and
495 million imperial gallons of desalinated water per day.

Its electricity network met a 3.4% increase in its annual peak
demand in 2024, reaching 10.76 GW.

With an electricity transmission and distribution network that spans over 42,000 kilometres,
DEWA has the world’s lowest rate of customer minutes lost – just 0.94 minutes per customer in 2024.

Through automation and other smart technologies, DEWA reduced its water network losses
to 4.6% in 2023; this compares to about 15% in North America.

DEWA has introduced an automatic smart grid restoration system, the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region.

In 2022, DEWA announced the conversion of the Hassyan Power Complex from coal to natural gas, powering a cleaner future.

In 2012, DEWA commissioned the first phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, an ambitious six-phase solar project, five of which have now been implemented.

Once completed, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will be the largest single-site solar park in the world, with total production capacity of over 5000MW by 2030.

In 2023, DEWA inaugurated the largest concentrated solar power project in the world, as part of the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.

During the year 2023, 14 nos. new 132 kV Transmission Substations were commissioned
by DEWA. By the end of 2023, the total of 132 kV transmission substations in Dubai had
reached 348, in addition to 25 stations under construction. By the end of 2023,
the total of 400 kV transmission substations in Dubai had reached 27.

Since DEWA’s inception, Dubai’s water pipeline network has increased from around 3,350 kilometres in 1992 to around 16,000 kilometres in 2023.

In 2019, DEWA inaugurated the Jebel Ali M-Station expansion project, adding two new power generation units to boost the station’s capacity to 2885MW.

Through its EV Green Charger initiative, DEWA is establishing an extensive network of infrastructure and electric vehicle charging stations; by end-2023 this totalled more than 382 stations across Dubai.

This initiative was further consolidated in June 2025, when DEWA issued the first two Independent Charge Point Operator licences to Tesla and UAEV for electric vehicle charging stations in Dubai.

In 2015, DEWA launched its Customer Happiness Charter to ensure customers receive the highest quality service. Its six customer happiness centres offer video calls with trained agents.

DEWA has organised workshops and training to support customer happiness centre staff, helping to improve customer service levels across the company.

In 2014, the company partnered with 19 UAE banks to introduce an easy-to-use electronic payment service for its customers.

In 2022, DEWA achieved first place in the International Digital Customer Experience Standard, reflecting exceptional leadership and performance.

DEWA has consistently been placed first in Dubai Digital Authority’s Instant Happiness Index, in which customers rate their satisfaction with government organisations.

On average, DEWA answers customer calls in just 15 seconds, and its multilingual staff ensure that customers of all nationalities receive a personalised service.

Partnering with Siemens Energy and Expo 2020 Dubai, DEWA has developed the first green hydrogen project in the Middle East and North Africa to use solar power to produce hydrogen.

In 2021, DEWA initiated its Space-D programme, which aims to utilise space technologies to enhance its electricity and water networks.

In 2022, this programme launched its first nanosatellite to increase the efficiency of DEWA’s planning and maintenance operations and support the digitalisation of its networks.

The DEWA R&D Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park operates as a global platform developing innovative solutions and technologies for future energy and water systems.

The firm received the Guinness World Record for the construction of the R&D centre’s Robotics and Drone Laboratory – the first 3D-printed laboratory in the world.

DEWA has developed and patented the award-winning Hydronet solution, which uses artificial
intelligence and deep learning to remotely monitor and control the water network.

DEWA’s Smart Ball technology prevented the loss of 1.34 million cubic metres of water, saving AED 12 million (US$3.27 million) in 2024, by detecting leaks in the water transmission underground pipelines.

In 2015, the firm launched Shams Dubai to encourage home and building owners to install solar panels for electricity generation, connected to DEWA’s grid which utilises any surpluses.

In 2015, DEWA launched the EV Green Charger initiative to build electric vehicle charging stations and promote green transportation.

Dubai exceeded the target set by the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy in 2020, reducing its emissions by a third, thanks in large part to DEWA’s clean energy initiatives.

DEWA has a Green Procurement programme across its whole supply chain that evaluates the environmental effects of products in order to avoid purchases that have negative impacts.

The company produces biodiversity action plans for all of its projects and implements stringent mitigation measures to ensure preservation of natural habitats.

In 2023, DEWA was a key participant in the Year of Sustainability in the UAE, supporting
a variety of initiatives culminating in DEWA as a Principal Pathway Partner of COP28
which was hosted by the UAE at Expo City Dubai, at the year’s end.

The company has set a target to produce 100% clean power by 2050, in line with the UAE’s
Net Zero 2050 Strategy, the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero
Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050.

DEWA promotes volunteering among its workforce. In 2022, it launched 30 social and humanitarian initiatives, with its employees contributing 44,067 hours of their own time.

On World Arabic Language Day in December 2021, DEWA held a workshop for students with disabilities, including interactive activities to enhance and improve motor skills and self-confidence.

The Ash’ir initiative was launched in 2014 to support speech-impaired customers, providing a live video chat service in sign language to facilitate communication with DEWA’s customer care centre staff.

DEWA is developing the Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls project, transforming Hatta into a tourism and investment hub while preserving its heritage, and providing job opportunities for local people.

In 2021, DEWA donated AED10 million (US$2.7 million) to the 100 Million Meals campaign, the largest food drive in the region, providing food parcels for disadvantaged individuals and families.

For five consecutive years, DEWA has sponsored the Gov Games, an annual sport and teambuilding event that aims to promote exercise and healthy lifestyles for government employees and wider society.

The firm is developing a pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Hatta with a production capacity of 250MW and a storage capacity of 1500 megawatt-hours.

The fourth phase of DEWA’s Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park features the world’s largest solar thermal storage capacity and its tallest solar tower.

DEWA and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) announced the financial closing of the 1800-megawatt sixth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world. This is a new milestone in promoting the use of clean and renewable energy in the UAE.

Between 2021 and 2024 the company invested AED10 billion (US$2.7 billion) in electricity transmission projects using the latest technologies.

The DEWA Campus for Occupational and Academic Development provides young Emiratis with technical and engineering skills to ‘prepare a generation that will lead the energy and water sectors’.

In 2023, DEWA signed a 30-year water purchase agreement, valued at US$914 million, with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power for Phase 1 of the Hassyan Sea Water Reverse Osmosis desalination project.

The plant, which is being developed using the Independent Water & Power Producer (IWPP) model, is highly efficient and will sustainably produce water at a world record low cost of 0.36536 USD/m3.

DEWA has implemented targeted policies to support employees with disabilities (People of Determination), providing training and facilitative arrangements to ensure an inclusive work environment.

The company regularly achieves average employee happiness ratings well above 90%
thanks to its many programmes and policies designed to meet their needs.

DEWA has inaugurated several Happiness Lounges in its buildings, with the aim of creating positive energy and a pleasant working environment.

In 2013, the firm launched DEWA Academy, as part of its landmark Campus for Occupational and Academic Development. More than 350 graduates of the academy are now employed by DEWA.

The company’s Smart Training and Education Centre at the campus offers a wide range of programmes to ensure staff are skilled in new technologies relevant to their areas of work.

DEWA was one of the first government departments in Dubai to establish in-work nurseries, supporting working mothers and furthering social stability.

In 2022, DEWA introduced the Real-Time Mobile Work Force Project to help staff complete their tasks easily and efficiently, anytime and anywhere, enhancing transparency and productivity.

DEWA has established the Women’s Committee, with the aim of supporting female staff. In 2023, it organised over 50 social and technical activities in which over 1,000 female employees participated.

In 2021, DEWA’s Distribution Power Division Complex received the platinum rating from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the highest international standard for green buildings.

The company has invested in and initiated the world’s first mosque to receive the LEED platinum rating for green buildings.

In 2013, DEWA inaugurated the first sustainable government building in the UAE, incorporating reduced energy use, carbon emissions and water consumption. By 2022, it had seven LEED-certified green buildings.

DEWA’s new headquarters, the Al-Shera’a building, will be the tallest, largest and smartest zero-energy government building in the world, equipped with over 20,000 square metres of solar panels.

Once complete, the Al-Shera’a building will generate more than 6500 megawatt-hours of renewable energy per year, making it a net energy producer.

DEWA’s Innovation Centre received a platinum rating from LEED with 101 points out of a possible 110 in the first quarter of 2020. This is the highest score in the world for a new government building.

DEWA was among the early adopters of green buildings in Dubai. In 2019, DEWA achieved a global milestone, by getting for Dubai the Platinum Rating in the LEED for Cities certification awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This makes Dubai the first city in the Arab world and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to receive this prestigious certification.

In 2021 DEWA received the 2021 USGBC Regional Leadership Award , which recognises the exemplary leadership of organisations contributing to the creation of green and sustainable buildings that have contributed to improving the quality of life in societies worldwide.

The company launched Digital DEWA in 2020, becoming the world’s first digital utility to use autonomous systems for renewable energy generation and storage, AI adoption and providing digital services.

In 2017, DEWA developed Rammas, its virtual employee, which is available via a variety of digital platforms. In 2023, it responded to over 1.8 million customer queries.

In addition to helping customers with queries, Rammas facilitates payment transactions and offers information on 200 services and features for a wide range of DEWA’s stakeholders.

The Hayak service enables customers to interact with DEWA’s customer care centre agents via online text chat and video chat.

By the start of 2023, DEWA had installed 2.1 million smart meters for customers, as part of its strategy to create high-quality digital infrastructure.

DEWA’s Smart Living initiative, launched in 2020, enables customers with smart electricity and water meters to monitor their consumption and adopt smart conservation options.

In 2023, DEWA became the first utility globally to embed ChatGPT into its customer services, supported by Microsoft.