February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

DEWA, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, is the exclusive provider of electricity and water services in the Emirate of Dubai. Established in 1992 through the merger of the Dubai Electricity Company and the Dubai Water Department, DEWA generates, transmits, and distributes electrical power while also operating desalination facilities that produce the emirate’s potable water supply. The authority has become internationally recognized for its ambitious clean energy investments, smart grid deployment, and consistently low transmission and distribution losses.

UAE Context

DEWA serves over one million customer accounts across Dubai, powering one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. The authority manages the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, one of the largest single-site solar energy projects globally, with a planned capacity of 5,000 megawatts by 2030. DEWA went public on the Dubai Financial Market in 2022 in what was the largest IPO in the Middle East and Europe that year, raising approximately USD 6.1 billion. The authority maintains electricity transmission and distribution losses below 3.3 percent, among the lowest rates worldwide, and has invested heavily in smart meter technology and digital customer services.

Key Data

  • Founded: 1992
  • Installed capacity: Over 14,000 MW of electricity generation
  • Customer accounts: Over 1 million
  • Solar park target: 5,000 MW by 2030 (Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park)
  • IPO: 2022, approximately USD 6.1 billion raised on DFM
  • Headquarters: Dubai

Significance for Vision 2031

DEWA is central to Dubai’s clean energy transition and broader sustainability ambitions under Vision 2031. The authority’s target of generating 75 percent of Dubai’s energy from clean sources by 2050 aligns with national net-zero commitments. DEWA’s investments in solar, green hydrogen, and smart grid infrastructure demonstrate how utility-scale transformation can support economic growth while reducing carbon intensity, providing a model for other emirates and regional utilities.

  • Net Zero 2050 - National climate strategy that DEWA’s clean energy investments support
  • Smart Government - Digital transformation agenda aligned with DEWA’s smart grid systems
  • ADWEA (EWEC) - Abu Dhabi’s equivalent power and water procurement entity