DEWA and Etihad Rail Forge Roadmap for Sustainable Rail and Smart Infrastructure
DEWA and Etihad Rail met in Dubai to explore powering the national rail network with clean energy and developing smart, low‑carbon transport corridors aligned with the UAE’s net‑zero ambitions.
DEWA and Etihad Rail held a high‑level discussion in Dubai on June 1, 2026, to map areas of cooperation on sustainable transport and intelligent infrastructure. The meeting, attended by DEWA’s Managing Director and CEO Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer and a delegation from Etihad Rail led by Mohammed Abdullah Al Shehi and Ahmad Louta, focused on aligning rail development with the UAE’s low‑carbon objectives. (al-ain.com)
DEWA CEO meets Etihad Rail delegation in Dubai
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer received the Etihad Rail delegation at DEWA headquarters to discuss strategic integration between power and rail sectors. The talks emphasized practical collaboration on projects that would use DEWA’s clean energy capabilities to support rail electrification and logistics services. Both sides framed the engagement as part of a broader national push for integrated, world‑class infrastructure. (emaratalyoum.com)
Commitment to setting a global low‑carbon infrastructure standard
Officials said they aim to establish a global benchmark for low‑carbon infrastructure by accelerating decarbonisation across transport and utilities. Discussions highlighted shared targets for carbon neutrality and the adoption of industry best practices to scale low‑emission solutions across rail corridors. The two organisations described the partnership as a platform to demonstrate the UAE’s model for sustainable national development. (al-ain.com)
DEWA’s expertise in solar, storage and smart networks
DEWA underlined its technical strengths in solar energy, energy storage, smart grids and AI‑enabled infrastructure as central to the proposed collaboration. The utility’s portfolio of renewable projects and grid modernisation programs was presented as complementary to Etihad Rail’s operational needs, including continuous, reliable power supply and on‑route energy services. DEWA also positioned its digital platforms and experience in grid resilience as key enablers for rail electrification and facility automation. (dewa.gov.ae)
Rail network positioned as a national development enabler
Both organisations stressed the strategic importance of a modern rail network as an enabler of long‑term national development and logistics competitiveness. Etihad Rail’s phased rollout aims to connect ports, industrial hubs and population centres, reducing road freight dependence and traffic congestion. Integrating a low‑carbon energy supply with rail operations is expected to enhance the network’s environmental performance and economic returns. (khaleejtimes.com)
Technical collaboration: powering trains and smart corridors
Practical proposals discussed include feeding rail systems with renewable power, deploying distributed storage at stations and sidings, and embedding smart sensors and AI for predictive maintenance. Officials outlined opportunities to pilot electrified segments powered by DEWA’s solar and storage assets and to co‑develop energy‑efficient station infrastructure. The partners signalled intent to work on standards for low‑carbon rail facilities that could be replicated regionally. (emaratalyoum.com)
Next steps and stakeholder coordination
Both parties agreed to establish working groups to draw technical roadmaps, assess grid impact, and coordinate permitting and commercial frameworks. The collaboration will involve joint studies on load forecasting, energy procurement models for rail services, and integration of charging or feeder stations into DEWA’s network planning. Government agencies and logistics stakeholders are expected to join subsequent phases to align investment and operational timelines. (al-ain.com)
The DEWA‑Etihad Rail discussions reflect a broader UAE strategy to couple infrastructure expansion with sustainability goals, with an early focus on electrification, storage integration and data‑driven asset management as levers to reduce transport emissions and boost economic efficiency.
