DEWA launches Strategy Week 2016

Sunday 23 October 2016
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)

Dubai - MENA Herald: HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), inaugurated DEWA’s Strategy Week 2016 at a ceremony in the InterContinental hotel at Dubai Festival City. Dr. Noah Raford, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Dubai Future Foundation, and DEWA’s officials and staff were also present. Strategy Week will continue over 23-27 October 2016 with the theme ‘Shaping the Future.’ This is part of DEWA’s efforts to raise the awareness of all its employees on the DEWA2021 strategy, which is aligned to the UAE Vision 2021, Dubai Plan 2021 and the Smart Dubai initiative.
The activities at Al Quoz Sustainable Building, Warsan and Jebel Ali, will promote DEWA’s strategy for the future, and build a strategy-focused culture among employees. This includes videos about DEWA’s journey towards success and excellence and the DEWA Strategy 2021, in addition to different events consolidating DEWA’s strategic values, principles and concepts. Also, sessions will be held on DEWA’s special expedition to the Amazon Rainforest. The expedition studied the effects of climate change on biodiversity, ecosystems and the inhabitants of the Amazon.
Al Tayer delivered the opening speech, as he emphasised that the theme of the event, ’Shaping the Future,’ reflects DEWA’s vision and commitment to carry out the government’s vision and directives under the wise leadership of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
“DEWA organises this event every year as part of our belief in the importance of strategic planning, and predicting the future to achieve our Strategy 2021 that adheres to the UAE Vision 2021, the Dubai Plan 2021, and the Dubai Smart initiative to enhance the competitiveness of the UAE, and its position as a global hub for green economy and sustainability, while developing innovation as a major element of our ongoing improvement. We adopt the concept of innovation as part of our vision, and created Strategic Innovation to raise its importance as a theme to encompass 40% of DEWA’s strategic map. Strategic planning is a major contributor to DEWA’s success, and also acts as a framework to achieve our vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility. This reflects the importance of sharing the key aspects of DEWA’s Strategy 2021 with our employees. This will create a corporate culture based on clear strategic priorities, enhance the role of our employees to achieve DEWA’s vision, while encouraging their further contribution to making Dubai the smartest city in the world, and achieve social, economic, and environmental sustainability in Dubai,” said Al Tayer.
“DEWA’s Strategy 2021 aims to achieve the happiness of all stakeholders, and enhance the competitiveness of the UAE, by providing the best government services at the highest levels of efficiency and accountability, while adopting the best international practices to achieve the happiness and satisfaction of all people.
The secret of our success lies in our adoption of a strategy that places us at the forefront in all our results and performance indicators. We have achieved unpreceded accomplishments locally and internationally, including the UAE, represented by DEWA, being ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa and fourth globally for the third consecutive year for getting electricity in the World Bank’s Doing Business 2016 report. DEWA’s customer minutes lost is now 3.87 minutes, compared to 15 minutes recorded by leading utilities in the European Union and the USA. Reducing losses in power transmission and distribution networks to 3.3%, compared to 6-7% in Europe and the USA.
Water network losses decreased to 8.2%, compared to 15% in North America, achieving global results in reducing water losses. DEWA also improved the design of its electricity and water infrastructure to improve fuel consumption efficiency, by 90% and its generation efficiency by 27%, as a result of ongoing improvements between 2006 and 2015.
All these achievements would not be accomplished without our dependence on innovation, creativity, and predicting the future as a pillar of our corporate work. This has enabled us to improve our performance in a short time, allowing us to compete with international organisations,” he added.
“We constantly work in adherence with the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to implement the objectives set by the Dubai Future Agenda, as the framework to shape and predict the future of Dubai, and the UAE’s strategic sectors. DEWA supports the framework of the Dubai Future Agenda, to establish the largest government accelerator in the world. We adhere to a clear and integrated strategy based on innovation, and work to further implement new initiatives, while continuously supporting Research and Development projects, to cope with rapid technological developments,” Al Tayer stated.
“The Innovation Centre, located at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, is equipped with the latest renewable energy technology. The Innovation Centre works to increase our use of renewable energy, while enhancing the competitiveness of the region by developing new technology and renewable energy solutions according to the highest international standards and best practices. DEWA works to find innovative solutions through the use of technology and Big Data, to study the behaviour of customers. DEWA also makes use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to assist in energy and water operations. We have established a number of teams, under the theme of ‘Teams of the Future,’ to discuss the future of various sectors, and implement the latest technologies and encourage innovation, to lay down the foundations for the future of the Emirate,” he explained.
Al Tayer emphasised that DEWA is keen on observing and implementing the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, to provide 7% of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy by 2020. This target will increase to 25% by 2030 and 75% by 2050. DEWA is also working on reducing the carbon footprint of Dubai and the UAE, by supporting the Carbon Abatement Strategy to reduce carbon emissions by 16% by 2020. DEWA also supports the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy, which is a unique global initiative to use technology for the service of humanity and promote the status of the UAE and Dubai as a global hub for 3D printing technology, by 2030.
DEWA contributes to building a smarter Dubai that uses integrated electronic data, connected with each other through IT systems and a synchronised network using the Internet and Cloud Computing. This will contribute to organising the city’s work and management, and promote its infrastructure and services including education, healthcare, security, transportation, and utilities. All facilities will be more efficient and reliable with new technologies and sensors in all major and vital locations in the Emirate.
“DEWA has included strategic objectives within its strategy map with a focus on envisioning the future, innovation, and the happiness of stakeholders. This is achieved by organising workshops that promote innovation. DEWA has developed an integrated strategy to stimulate innovative ideas and suggestions, which are major components of DEWA’s corporate values. DEWA’s Creativity Lab events are the ideal platform to exchange expertise and share best international practices, in collaboration with international experts,” concluded Al Tayer.
Dr. Raford delivered a speech about Dubai’s future over the course of the next 20 years.
“DEWA’s Strategy Week reflects DEWA’s commitment to adopt best practices in strategic planning and implementation. Leadership and innovation are cornerstones of DEWA’s strategy, which contributes to its development and growth, being a strategy-driven utility. This adheres to Dubai’s strategic objectives to achieve sustainable development, and builds on its position as a global hub for trade, finance and tourism,” said Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at DEWA.

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