Dewa chief rules out electricity tariff hike as Dubai accelerates clean energy push

Dubai will not raise electricity tariffs as the emirate expands its clean energy sources, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), confirmed on Wednesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the World Green Economy Summit at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Al Tayer said the utility continues to develop solar power and energy storage projects to boost the efficiency of the energy system.

Solar park target raised

Dewa plans to establish several new clean energy projects in the emirate in the coming phase, Al Tayer added. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is being implemented at an accelerated pace, with its target capacity raised from 5,000 MW to 8,000 MW by 2030.

Oil prices and fuel costs

Oil prices have trended higher over the past few months due to the Middle East conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. On Wednesday, crude crossed $110 a barrel amid the regional war and a drop in US inventories.

In the UAE, retail fuel prices crossed the Dh4 per litre mark in October, reaching a more-than-four-year high. Super 98 petrol is now Dh4.40 a litre, up from Dh3.80 in September; Special 95 is Dh4.28 per litre compared to Dh3.69 last month; and E-Plus 91 costs Dh4.21 per litre, up from Dh3.61 in September.

Power generation and clean energy share

In 2025, Dewa generated 62.21 terawatt-hours (TWh) of power, a 5.10 per cent increase from the 59.19 TWh recorded in 2024. Clean power generation reached 10.10 TWh during the year, a 52.38 per cent rise from the previous year. This accounted for 16.23 per cent of Dewa’s total power output in 2025.

Dewa’s annual peak power demand rose 5.83 per cent in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching 11.39 gigawatts.

Emissions reduction targets

Clean energy is expected to account for more than 36 per cent of Dubai’s total energy mix by 2030, Dewa said, helping to avoid more than 8.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. This supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, which aim to source 100 per cent of Dubai’s electricity production capacity from clean sources by 2050.

Al Tayer noted that the estimated CO₂ emission reductions have been raised from 6.5 million tonnes to approximately eight million tonnes by 2030.

In November, Dewa will announce the results of awards for projects described as among the largest in the world in the energy sector, covering solar power and storage systems.

Summit draws global support

The 12th edition of the World Green Economy Summit has attracted 15 local and international sponsors, reflecting growing confidence in its role as a global platform for accelerating the transition to a green economy and fostering cross-sector collaboration, organisers said.

“The growing support from local and international institutions and companies for the World Green Economy Summit reflects a shared recognition that addressing climate challenges and achieving sustainable economic growth require moving beyond commitments and ambitions towards implementation, investment and scale,” Al Tayer said. “As the world accelerates its transition towards a greener future, expanding the reach of proven solutions and technologies has become a strategic imperative to deliver tangible and lasting economic, environmental and social outcomes. The summit serves as a global platform that brings together governments, business leaders, financial technology organisations, innovators and policymakers from around the world to strengthen collaboration, exchange knowledge and forge impactful partnerships that advance the green economy.”