Dubai constructs 1,530 electrical transformer stations in 2024, fueling the city's fast expansion
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) Expands Energy Infrastructure with Record Number of Substations
In a bid to meet the rising energy demands and ensure consistent, high-quality service, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has commissioned a record 1,530 new 11 kV distribution substations across Dubai in 2024. This marks a year-on-year increase of 8.2%.
The commissioning of these substations is part of DEWA's ongoing efforts to expand the Emirate's energy infrastructure. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, highlighted that the continued growth in distribution infrastructure reflects Dubai's commitment to future-proofing the city's energy needs.
By the end of 2024, the total number of medium voltage (11 kV and 6.6 kV) substations reached 45,317. This significant increase from the 558 in the same period in 2024 is a testament to DEWA's rapid growth and capacity building.
DEWA's strategy for meeting rising demand and ensuring consistent, high-quality service includes automation, predictive maintenance, and reduced outage times. Rashid Bin Humaidan, Executive Vice President of Distribution Power at DEWA, noted that DEWA leverages cutting-edge systems and collaborates with global partners to achieve these goals.
All work was carried out while adhering to the highest health and safety standards. The construction and associated work were completed within 1,070,670 man-hours.
DEWA's leadership in electricity transmission and distribution is underpinned by its rapid infrastructure growth, record-low technical losses, outstanding service reliability, and globally benchmarked operational excellence. In the first half of 2025, DEWA commissioned a record 924 new 11 kV distribution substations, a significant increase from 558 in the same period in 2024.
DEWA ranks first worldwide in 12 key performance indicators (KPIs) related to its operational areas, driven by integration of innovation, sustainability initiatives, cutting-edge technologies, and rigorous quality and safety standards. These align with Dubai’s strategic economic and urban development plans.
Line losses in electricity transmission and distribution under DEWA were reduced to 2.2%, compared to 6-7% in Europe and the US. DEWA achieved the world's lowest electricity transmission and distribution network losses at just 2% in 2024, demonstrating exceptional operational efficiency.
DEWA set a global record for the lowest customer minutes lost, at merely 0.94 minutes per year, vastly outperforming the European Union average of 15 minutes. This indicates highly reliable service and minimal outages.
The network now includes 62 substations at 33 kV and over 64,000 medium voltage (11 kV and 6.6 kV) substations, showcasing vast and sophisticated infrastructure.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, stated that DEWA's integration of advanced technologies has placed it among global leaders in over 10 key performance indicators. He emphasized that this achievement is a result of DEWA's commitment to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence.
The expansion of Dubai's energy infrastructure by DEWA, with the commissioning of 1,530 new 11 kV distribution substations in 2024, aims to ensure safety and health for the city's residents by meeting future energy demands effectively. DEWA's vision is to achieve this by implementing automation, predictive maintenance, and reducing outage times, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and collaboration with global partners.
