DEWA chief sees AI reshaping energy systems

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s chief executive has placed artificial intelligence at the centre of a far-reaching shift in how power and water systems are planned, operated and expanded, arguing that digital intelligence is moving from an efficiency tool to a structural driver of the energy sector’s next phase.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of DEWA, said AI is increasingly embedded across production, transmission and distribution, enabling utilities to respond to rising demand, integrate clean energy at scale and maintain reliability in more complex grids. He framed the transition as a response to simultaneous pressures: decarbonisation targets, fast-growing electricity consumption linked to urban growth and data centres, and the need to keep tariffs stable while investing heavily in infrastructure.

DEWA has positioned AI as a backbone of its smart grid strategy, deploying advanced analytics to forecast demand, optimise dispatch and manage assets in real time. Machine-learning systems are used to anticipate faults in substations and transmission lines, reducing outages and cutting maintenance costs. Digital twins of power plants and networks allow engineers to simulate stress scenarios, from heatwaves to sudden load spikes, before they occur on the ground.

The utility’s generation mix provides a testing ground for these technologies. Dubai’s expanding solar capacity, anchored by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, requires sophisticated forecasting to manage intermittency and maintain grid stability. AI models analyse weather data, satellite imagery and historical performance to predict output and adjust operations. This has become more critical as renewable penetration rises and conventional baseload plants play a balancing role rather than a dominant one.

On the customer side, AI-driven systems underpin smart meters, dynamic billing and consumption insights aimed at reducing waste. DEWA reports that behavioural nudges and automated efficiency recommendations have helped curb peak demand, easing pressure on generation and networks during high-load periods. Water operations mirror this approach, with AI monitoring desalination plants, pipelines and reservoirs to detect leaks, optimise chemical use and improve energy efficiency in one of the most power-intensive segments of the utility business.

Al Tayer has also linked AI adoption to climate resilience. Predictive models are used to assess how extreme heat, humidity and sandstorms affect equipment lifespan and performance, informing procurement and design standards. The goal, he said, is to build systems that anticipate disruption rather than merely react to it, a shift that aligns with broader efforts to harden infrastructure against climate-related risks.

Beyond operations, DEWA has invested in AI for planning and governance. Scenario analysis tools evaluate long-term demand trajectories under different economic and policy assumptions, supporting capital allocation decisions. Automated compliance and reporting systems track emissions, water intensity and efficiency metrics, reducing manual processes and improving transparency for regulators and stakeholders.

The emphasis on AI reflects a wider trend across global utilities, many of which face ageing assets and skills shortages alongside rapid technological change. Industry analysts note that AI adoption is uneven, often constrained by legacy systems and data quality. DEWA’s approach, combining large-scale renewables, smart infrastructure and in-house digital capabilities, is cited as a model for utilities operating in fast-growing cities.

Workforce transformation is another element of the strategy. Al Tayer has stressed that AI is not intended to replace human expertise but to augment it, shifting staff towards higher-value roles in analytics, system design and cybersecurity. Training programmes focus on data science, automation and ethical AI use, recognising that digital systems introduce new vulnerabilities alongside efficiencies.

Cybersecurity remains a key concern as grids become more connected. DEWA has expanded its security operations to monitor AI-driven systems continuously, using anomaly detection to identify threats. Safeguards are designed to ensure that automated decision-making remains transparent and auditable, a requirement as regulators scrutinise the use of algorithms in critical infrastructure.