Dubai’s DEWA To Open 100 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations In 2015

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced plans to open 100 electric vehicle charging stations in the emirate this year, as part of an initiative supporting the Smart Dubai initiative.

DEWA, which inaugurated Dubai’s first electric vehicle charging station within its main office on Wednesday, also said it is building the infrastructure needed to introduce electric vehicles in the emirate.

The authority will build three types of electric vehicle charging stations compatible with the “latest international technologies used in electric vehicles,” it said in a statement.

Fast charging stations that take 30 minutes will be available in petrol stations, while the other two types include charging stations that take four hours, and six to eight hours, respectively.

The setting up of the three types will be based on recommendations by the project’s consultants.

The first phase of the project includes installing 16 charging stations for public use. Each station can accommodate two vehicles at the same time.

So far, 12 stations have already been installed at DEWA’s centres, including its head office, the Sustainable Building, Al Wasl, Al Hudaiba, Burj Nahar, Umm Ramool, and Jebel Ali, and they can charge 24 vehicles simultaneously.

One station has been installed in Dubai Silicon Oasis with another and two more due in Dubai Design District (D3) by March 2015.

During phase two of the project, 84 charging stations of different types will be installed at Dubai Airports, Dubai Municipality, RTA, shopping malls, petrol stations, hotels, and parking areas.

The project is scheduled to be completed in 2015.

The authority is collaborating with national and private organisations including car manufacturers, petrol stations, Dubai Municipality, RTA, hotels, and parking lots owners and operators in Dubai, the statement said.

DEWA is also working with real estate developers, including Emaar and Nakheel, to determine the most appropriate sites to set up the stations, it said.

The initiative will support DEWA’s efforts to reduce Dubai’s carbon footprint, protect the environment, and drive the city’s sustainable development, said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA.

“The first station is an important step towards achieving the objectives of the sustainable smart city and transforming Dubai into the smartest city in the world,” he said.

The move supports the Smart Dubai initiative, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VP and PM of the UAE and Dubai’s ruler, which aims to help the city provide efficient and quick services to residents and visitors.

“It also supports the Dubai Plan 2021 and the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 to establish Dubai as a global hub for trade, finance, tourism, and sustainability, and a global role model of the highest standards of energy efficiency,” said Al Tayer.

Towards achieving that goal, DEWA is currently implementing three main initiatives.

“These are connecting solar energy to houses and buildings, smart applications through smart meters and grids, and the infrastructure for vehicle charging stations. DEWA has started implementing the electric vehicle charging station infrastructure initiative,” said Al Tayer.

“We are confident this project will have the full support of Dubai residents as well as government and private organisations,” he added.