DEWA commissions 1,994 new 11kV distribution stations in 2025, a 30% surge on 2024
DEWA commissioned 1,994 new 11kV distribution stations in 2025, a 30% rise from 2024, expanding Dubai’s grid to meet demand through 2030 and boost reliability.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) announced a major expansion of its medium-voltage network after commissioning 1,994 new 11kV distribution stations during 2025. The rollout, announced by CEO Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, represents an increase of more than 30 percent compared with 1,530 stations added in 2024. DEWA said the expansion is part of a wider strategy to upgrade the distribution grid, raise capacity and improve service quality across the emirate.
Record rollout of 11kV distribution stations in 2025
DEWA’s 2025 programme focused on accelerating delivery of 11kV distribution stations to keep pace with Dubai’s rapid development and rising electricity demand. The authority reported that the new stations were completed across residential, commercial and industrial districts to strengthen local supply and reduce outage risks. Officials highlighted the scale of the project as one of the largest annual medium-voltage build-outs in recent years for the emirate.
Manpower, hours and safety standards
DEWA said the work associated with the 11kV distribution stations in 2025 involved more than 1.45 million man-hours, carried out under strict health and safety protocols. Rashid bin Humaidan, DEWA’s Executive Vice President for Power Distribution, underscored the emphasis on worker safety and compliance with international standards during the construction and commissioning phases. The authority stressed that robust safety management and training were central to delivering the programme without compromising operational integrity.
Technology deployment and digital solutions
DEWA attributed the accelerated delivery to the adoption of advanced design practices and digital technologies in distribution planning and operations. The authority is increasingly using digital modelling, remote monitoring and automation to optimise network layout and speed up commissioning. These tools, DEWA said, are also being applied to improve fault detection, reduce restoration times, and enable predictive maintenance across the 11kV network.
Supporting Dubai’s growth targets and policy agenda
DEWA described the expansion as aligned with Dubai’s broader economic and urban development agendas, including the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. The authority framed the new 11kV distribution stations as necessary infrastructure to support the emirate’s projected population and economic growth through 2030. Officials also noted the work contributes to ensuring the city remains attractive for investment, liveability and large-scale projects.
Grid resilience and sustainability commitments
Beyond immediate capacity needs, DEWA linked the programme to longer-term goals for resilience and sustainability, including efforts toward carbon neutrality. The authority said that modernised distribution infrastructure, combined with digital control systems, will facilitate integration of distributed energy resources and efficiency measures. DEWA emphasised that upgrading medium-voltage assets is a prerequisite for accommodating cleaner energy sources and managing peak demand more effectively.
Overall network scale at end of 2025
By the end of 2025 the total number of medium-voltage distribution stations — at both 11kV and 6.6kV levels — reached 47,060, DEWA reported. That network footprint reflects years of steady investment to keep pace with Dubai’s urban expansion and the increasing electrification of transport, industry and services. DEWA said continued investment will focus on targeted expansions, capacity reinforcements and technology rollouts to maintain high standards of reliability.
The authority also highlighted customer service improvements driven by the upgrades, noting that enhanced local distribution reduces the strain on higher-voltage transmission assets and supports faster fault isolation. DEWA reaffirmed that future works would be planned to meet demand forecasts up to 2030 while maintaining alignment with the emirate’s sustainability and development objectives.
DEWA’s 2025 distribution programme underscores a concerted effort to expand medium-voltage capacity, improve grid resilience and prepare Dubai’s power network for the next phase of urban and economic growth.
