AI-powered gas turbine control system raises Jebel Ali output, trims costs and cuts emissions
DEWA and Siemens Energy’s AI-powered gas turbine control system at Jebel Ali increased output and efficiency, boosting capacity while reducing fuel costs and emissions.
System rollout at Jebel Ali plant
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), in partnership with Siemens Energy, has deployed the world’s first autonomous AI-powered gas turbine control system at the Jebel Ali power and desalination complex. The system is designed to optimise turbine operation in real time, reducing inefficiencies and improving overall plant responsiveness. DEWA says the deployment is a strategic step in applying Industry 4.0 technologies to national energy infrastructure.
Measured increase in generation capacity
Operational data show the new control system raised the combined output of 14 gas turbines by about 28.9 megawatts. That gain enhances grid flexibility and helps meet peak demand without immediate investment in additional generation units. DEWA highlighted that the improved performance comes from more precise turbine management and continuous adaptive control algorithms.
Capital expenditure avoided through optimisation
According to DEWA, the improved turbine efficiency translated into roughly AED 38.95 million in avoided capital expenditures. By extracting additional capacity from existing assets, the utility deferred or reduced the need for new mechanical upgrades or supplemental generation. This avoided spending represents a direct value return on the AI system investment and supports longer-term asset optimisation plans.
Operational savings and emissions reduction
The project achieved tangible fuel savings, estimated to reduce operating costs by about AED 8.72 million annually. Those savings were accompanied by environmental benefits, with DEWA reporting an annual reduction of approximately 28,530 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Nitrogen oxide emissions were also lowered by roughly 22.9 tonnes per year, reflecting cleaner combustion profiles under the autonomous control regime.
International recognition for best practice
The initiative received top marks in the Global Best Practices competition, earning a seven-star rating as the leading worldwide example of applying AI and advanced technologies in power generation. The award recognises projects that demonstrate both operational value and sustainability improvements, signalling industry endorsement for autonomous control in large-scale utility operations. DEWA described the accolade as validation of its technology-first approach to infrastructure management.
Partnership and technological approach
DEWA developed the autonomous control solution in collaboration with Siemens Energy, combining the utility’s operational expertise with Siemens’ turbine and digital systems knowledge. The solution integrates machine learning models, real-time monitoring, and control logic that continuously adjust operating parameters to maintain optimal performance. This layered approach enables the turbines to adapt to changing fuel conditions, ambient factors and grid requirements without manual intervention.
Leadership vision and strategic goals
DEWA’s managing director and CEO framed the project within a broader drive to adopt Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies across the authority’s operations. He cited direction from Dubai leadership, noting the initiative aligns with national ambitions to harness AI for public services. DEWA is pursuing a roadmap to evolve into a service organisation that leverages AI across energy and water systems to raise reliability and operational value.
The autonomous control project illustrates a scalable model for other power facilities looking to increase output while lowering lifecycle costs and emissions. By delivering measurable economic and environmental returns, the project offers a replicable template for utilities worldwide that seek rapid gains from digital transformation.
The success at Jebel Ali underscores how targeted AI applications, paired with engineering know‑how, can extend the productive life of existing infrastructure. It also reinforces Dubai’s emphasis on innovation as a tool for sustainability and resilience in critical public services.
DEWA and Siemens Energy will likely monitor the system’s performance over an extended period to quantify long-term benefits and identify further optimisation opportunities. Continuous learning from the deployed models should enable refinements that preserve fuel savings and emissions reductions while protecting equipment health.
The project sets expectations for future digital initiatives within the regional power sector and could influence procurement and upgrade strategies elsewhere. As utilities evaluate options to meet growing demand, AI-driven control systems present a pathway to enhance capacity without proportionate increases in capital spending or environmental footprint.
DEWA’s public statements frame the achievement as both a technical milestone and a step toward institutional transformation, positioning the authority to expand AI integration across its operations in the years ahead.
