DEWA receives international appreciation from World Summit on the Information Society

Dubai, UAE, 23 May 2016: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) received international recognition and was awarded a Letter of Appreciation from the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2016, in the Champions category for its Smart Power Plant System. DEWA launched this the system in February 2016 to develop its smart operations and foster development of the information society. DEWA achieved the highest results and was evaluated by the WSIS international jury, and international votes in the ICT category.

The prize was received by Ibrahim Salem Al Obaidly, Senior Engineer at Instrument & Controls on behalf of DEWA. The award was received during a ceremony held at the World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva from 2-6 May 2016.

“We are happy to have received international recognition and the WSIS Prize in the Champions Category. This adds to DEWA’s list of international achievements and emphasises our efforts to place the UAE at the forefront in all international events, enhancing the UAE’s role in global communications. DEWA launched the Smart Power Plant System in January this year, as part of its efforts to achieve its vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility, as well as achieve the Smart Dubai initiative, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world. The Smart Power Plant enhanced the quality of life in Dubai and provides the community with efficient and reliable electricity and water services, based on the highest standards of availability, efficiency and reliability, to speed up Dubai’s smart transformation,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

“DEWA’s Smart Power Plant is a centralised information system that automatically gathers data from control systems in real time and is capable of functions such as watering plants using the One-Way Data Device, developed by DEWA’s internal staff. The operational system is clear and comprehensive, allowing quick analysis and fast decision making to improve performance and prevent potential mishaps. Users can easily receive results at any time, and from any location, by the use of personal computers, or other smart devices,” added Al Tayer.

The data gathered by power plants can be immediately calculated by the Smart Power Plant in real time, showing immediate results for major performance indicators such as production, and performance. The system automatically issues technical, and administrative reports, and sends immediate notifications regarding important events via email or SMS.

In 2014, DEWA won the UAE Ideas Award 2014, for promoting e-Government at the UAE.Ideas Conference. A team from DEWA’s Generation division won the award for its One-Way Data Device that was custom-built for DEWA. The device ensures the safe transmission of data from power stations to a shared platform. This builds a knowledge base for decision-makers, enabling them to access data using smart devices.

The UAE has become a strategic partner to the WSIS by establishing a National WSIS Committee, to follow-up on the implementation and commitment to the WSIS recommendations on the information society, which had a remarkable role in boosting the expertise, information, and experience-exchange process. It also built a community for joint information to develop a society where individuals can grow their abilities to achieve sustainable development, bettering their quality of life. 

WSIS was established by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and is a high-level international forum that provides a significant platform for coordinating efforts between various countries of the world in ICT and digital content key issues. The WSIS Prize is open to all stakeholders including government organisations, private sectors, civil society, international organisations, non-government organisations, and others.