Dubai’s Energy Needs Surge in 2024 Alongside Population Boom

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), revealed that Dubai’s energy consumption rose by 5.4% in 2024 compared to the previous year. According to Al Tayer, the emirate’s energy demand reached 59,594 gigawatt hours (GWh) in 2024, up from 56,516 GWh in 2023. He emphasized that DEWA is actively expanding its transmission and distribution networks, building top-tier electricity and water infrastructure to match Dubai’s rapid population growth and the ongoing economic development of the emirate.

Al Tayer credited the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for transforming Dubai into a global metropolis and a prime destination for living, working, and tourism, as well as a key center for trade. “Dubai’s thriving urban landscape, economic progress, and growing population are fueling DEWA’s sustainable expansion, driven by rising demand for electricity and water,” he stated. Aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33—which seeks to double the emirate’s economy by 2033 and rank it among the world’s top three cities—DEWA’s installed power generation capacity has climbed to 17.179 gigawatts (GW), with clean energy making up 20% of the total. This advancement supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, which aim for 100% clean energy production by mid-century. “DEWA has set a global benchmark for energy and water efficiency, delivering services that meet the highest standards of reliability, sustainability, and quality,” Al Tayer added.

In 2024, DEWA also recorded a significant 3.4% rise in peak demand, hitting 10.76 GW compared to 2023. The authority remains dedicated to sustainability and excellence in its operations and service delivery.