DUBAI: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has achieved the lowest electricity Customer Minutes Lost (CML) in the world, setting a new global benchmark with just 0.94 minutes per customer in 2024. This beats DEWA’s previous record of 1.06 minutes in 2023 and is far lower than the 15-minute average recorded by top European utility providers.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, credited this success to advanced smart grid technology and Dubai’s commitment to innovation. He highlighted that Dubai’s electricity infrastructure is built on efficiency, reliability, and sustainability, aligning with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).
“We have reduced CML from 6.88 minutes in 2012 to 0.94 minutes in 2024, reinforcing Dubai’s leadership in adopting cutting-edge technologies. Our Smart Grid, with AED 7 billion investments planned until 2035, has been key in achieving this milestone,” Al Tayer stated.
A major innovation is DEWA’s Automatic Smart Grid Restoration System, the first in the Middle East and North Africa. This AI-powered system detects faults, isolates them, and restores service without human intervention, ensuring quick recovery and minimising disruptions.
DEWA’s efforts were recognised at the Asian Power Awards 2024 in Singapore, winning:
• ‘Innovative Power Technology of the Year – UAE’ for its Actual Load Profiles Simulator.
• ‘Smart Grid Project of the Year – UAE’ for its Distribution Automation Smart Grid initiatives.
Dubai continues to lead the world in power efficiency and reliability, setting new standards for sustainable urban infrastructure.
