Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced plans to build 68 new 132/11 kilovolt (kV) substations over the next three years, at a projected value of AED8 billion ($2.18 billion).

This is part of DEWA’s commitment to expand its infrastructure to meet growing demand for power in Dubai, the utility said in a statement.

Until the end of last year, DEWA had established a total of 258 main substations, 18 of which were commissioned in 2018 at a total cost of AED2.05 billion.

“We are inspired to plan and develop the infrastructure required, to meet increasing electricity and water demand in the emirate. This will contribute to achieving Dubai’s ambitious urban objectives,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of DEWA.

“DEWA is committed to enhancing the efficiency of electricity transmission networks, while ensuring electricity services for our people, industry and the economy. We have commenced building new stations in Hassyan, and at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. DEWA continuously adopts new strategies based on innovation, to anticipate future challenges and opportunities,” added Al Tayer.

He said DEWA had managed to reduce losses from electricity transmission and distribution networks to 3.3 percent compared to 6-7 percent in Europe and the US while water network losses were reduced to 6.5 percrnt in 2018 compared to 15 percent in North America.

DEWA also achieved the lowest customer minutes lost per year in the world of 2.39 compared to 15 minutes in Europe.