Dubai’s DEWA opens new power substation in Al Quoz 4

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has opened a new 132/11 kilovolt (KV) substation with a total capacity of 150 megavolt amperes at Al Quoz 4, to meet increasing demand for electricity in the area.

The substation has been developed in collaboration with Meraas Holding and is part of DEWA’s efforts to install main substations across Dubai, the utility said in a statement.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA said: “The project aims to increase the capacity and efficiency of electricity and transmission networks at Al Quoz 4. DEWA has extended ground cables with capacity of 132KV to connect it to the 132/11 KV Ampere and the 132/400 KV Ampere at Al Quoz. This will further enhance the efficiency and reliability of DEWA’s networks across vital growth areas and ensure continuity and stability of supplies to our customers at all times.

“This substation applies and uses state-of-the-art digital technologies, contributing to promoting their efficiency and reliability, and will eventually serve Dubai’s urban and ambitious plans,” he added.

DEWA is currently working to upgrade existing substations by increasing their capacity and introducing new technologies, said Al Tayer.

“This modern electricity network will help to position Dubai as one of the cities with the best infrastructure. DEWA is set to complete the construction of 100 132/11 KV substations in different phases over the next three years,” he added.

According to estimates by project development and advisory firm Access, Dubai’s electricity demand is growing at 4-6 per cent per annum and is slated to reach 9.6GW by 2020, a 50 per cent increase from 2012 levels.

DEWA is also increasing power supply – especially from renewable sources – under the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050.

Under the plan, Dubai aims to meet 7 per cent of its energy needs from clean sources by 2020, 25 per cent by 2030 and 75 per cent by 2050.

One of DEWA’s main initiatives is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar energy project in the world, which will produce 1,000MW by 2020 and 5,000MW by 2030.