A high-level delegation from Finland was recently received by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), which is headed by His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO. Anna-Kaisa Heikkinen, Director General of Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department for Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, led the group. The purpose of the tour was to investigate potential new areas of cooperation in the fields of advanced technology, innovation, and sustainability.
The Finnish Delegation’s Focus Areas
Representatives from well-known businesses, academic institutions, and governmental agencies were part of the Finnish delegation. They contributed knowledge in fields including innovative technology, logistics, smart solutions, and renewable energy. Finland’s dedication to cultivating collaborations that support sustainable development was highlighted during the visit.
Promoting Cutting-Edge Technologies and Clean Energy
Al Tayer highlighted DEWA’s pioneering efforts in digital transformation, green hydrogen, smart grid technologies, and renewable energy at the conference, while also applauding Finland’s accomplishments in sustainable innovation. In order to establish Dubai as a global center for sustainability and clean energy, he emphasized how DEWA’s objectives complement those of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050.
Additionally, Al Tayer provided information about the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the biggest single-site solar park in the world. The Green Hydrogen pilot project, improved battery energy storage systems, and concentrated solar power (CSP) storage systems were among the other topics that were presented. Utilizing solar energy to generate hydrogen for a sustainable energy future, the Green Hydrogen program is the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa.
New Developments in Digital Transformation and Water Desalination
Al Tayer presented DEWA’s plan to use reverse osmosis technology for energy-efficient water desalination, with the aim of producing all water by 2030 using renewable energy. Additionally, he highlighted DEWA’s ambitious Digital DEWA Strategy, which aims to make the organization the first digital utility in the world. AI-driven solutions, autonomous control technology, and renewable energy systems are all used in this transition.
Al Tayer also cited DEWA’s outstanding operational performance, which surpasses that of the biggest utilities in the US and Europe. Significant accomplishments have been made by DEWA, such as record-low transmission and distribution losses of electricity (2%) and water network losses (4.6%). Additionally, he emphasized that in 2023, the utility averaged just 1.06 minutes per year, which was the lowest power Customer Minutes Lost (CML) in the world.
Enhancing Finland-UAE Relations
Finland is keen to strengthen its relationship with the United Arab Emirates and collaborate closely with DEWA on sustainable energy and smart technology projects, according to Anna-Kaisa Heikkinen. She underlined how Finnish businesses may collaborate with DEWA to further common sustainability objectives.
A Common Goal for a More Sustainable Future
The visit emphasizes how crucial international cooperation is becoming to solving the world’s ecological issues. It is in line with the UAE’s aim of a more sustainable and greener future in which innovation and technology are essential for advancing society.
