MD & CEO receives Swiss Consul-General to Dubai

Dubai, UAE, 15 June 2016: HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) received a Swiss delegation, headed by Chris Watts, Consul General of Switzerland in Dubai. The delegation also included Peter Harradine, President of the Swiss Business Council in Dubai & the Northern Emirates. The visit is part of ongoing diplomatic and council visits to DEWA to enhance relations, facilitate the exchange of skills, and enhance cooperation. Al Tayer welcomed the Consul General, noting the positive relationship between the two nations, and their successful joint efforts. Al Tayer noted DEWA’s commitment to cooperating with different Swiss companies to develop innovative abilities, and efforts to enhance partnerships with Swiss companies in the clean and renewable energy sector. This supports the National Innovation Strategy, and DEWA’s vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility.

During the visit, Al Tayer presented DEWA’s current and future projects and strategic initiatives, and discussed the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is managed by DEWA and is one of the largest single-site strategic renewable energy projects in the world. It is based on the independent power producer (IPP) model, with a planned total capacity of 1,000 megawatts (MW) by 2020 and 5,000MW by 2030. Al Tayer also highlighted the Hassyan clean coal power plant, which is also based on the IPP model, and is the first 2,400 MW phase of the project. 

The project is expected to be operational by 2020. Al Tayer highlighted DEWA’s smart grids project, and three smart initiatives as part of the Smart Dubai initiative. The delegation commended DEWA on its continuous efforts. They showed interest in DEWA’s current and future clean energy projects, and were keen to exchange skills, information and practices to contribute to Dubai’s sustainable development.