DUBAI & Other UAE Emirates - The Power Sector.

Annual growth in demand for electricity in the UAE has been about 8-10% in recent years, with Dubai registering the highest rate. The main power utilities in the UAE are Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA), the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA).

With the UAE having a total generating capacity of 8,300 MW which is to exceed 15,300 MW by 2010, Abu Dhabi is the biggest power market (see survey in Vol. 56). The second biggest is Dubai, where the installed generating capacity is about 3,500 MW.

Demand in Dubai rose 9% per annum in 2000 and 2001. It had grown by 11% in 1999 and 16.3% in 1998. Dubai's generating capacity is to reach 4,640 MW by 2004/05. In 2000 the local government budgeted Dh 18 bn ($4.9 bn) for power generation and water desalination projects for the period to 2012. DEWA's current projects include a 700 MW plant, called Jebel Ali L, to be tendered in mid-2002.

The capacity of Dubai's water desalination system should expand from 127.5m gallons/day in the first half of 2000 to 287.5m g/d by 2004, with a 70m g/d plant to be tendered along with Jebel Ali L in mid-2002.

DEWA is the only Gulf utility which makes profit and has a viable tariff of $0.05/kWh. Dubai's Deputy Ruler and UAE Finance/Industry Minister Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum said in April 1999 this sector will remain under government control to protect consumer interests.