DEWA deepens US clean energy dialogue

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority has opened discussions with a visiting United States delegation to expand cooperation in sustainable power, hydrogen and advanced energy technologies, underscoring Dubai’s ambition to position itself at the forefront of the global energy transition.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and Chief Executive of DEWA, held talks in Dubai with Robert Hertzberg, senior fellow at Mission Possible Partnership and board member of First Public Hydrogen, focusing on areas that include green hydrogen production, grid innovation and pathways to accelerate decarbonisation. The meeting formed part of a broader engagement between Gulf utilities and American clean-tech stakeholders as both sides seek to translate climate pledges into investable projects.

DEWA said the discussions centred on strengthening collaboration in sustainable energy, advanced technologies and innovation, building on the utility’s strategy to diversify Dubai’s energy mix and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The emirate aims to generate 100 per cent of its power capacity from clean sources by 2050, a target anchored in the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy.

Al Tayer has repeatedly emphasised that partnerships with international institutions and technology developers are critical to meeting those targets. Under his leadership, DEWA has overseen the expansion of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is expected to reach a planned capacity of 5,000 megawatts by 2030. The solar park, developed in phases using both photovoltaic and concentrated solar power technologies, is among the largest single-site solar installations in the world and has attracted global investors through competitive bidding rounds that have driven tariffs to record lows.

Hertzberg’s involvement adds a hydrogen dimension to the dialogue. Mission Possible Partnership, backed by leading climate-focused organisations and industry players, works to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement, aviation and shipping. First Public Hydrogen, where Hertzberg serves on the board, focuses on scaling hydrogen solutions, reflecting the growing view that green hydrogen will play a central role in decarbonising heavy industry and long-distance transport.

Dubai has already taken steps in that direction. DEWA inaugurated a pilot green hydrogen project at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in collaboration with Siemens Energy, producing hydrogen using solar-powered electrolysis. The facility is designed to test storage and mobility applications and to assess the technical and commercial viability of hydrogen in the local context. Officials have described it as a foundation for larger-scale deployment once market conditions and demand mature.

The meeting with the US delegation comes amid intensifying global competition to attract capital and technology for clean energy infrastructure. The United States has rolled out significant incentives under its Inflation Reduction Act, directing billions of dollars towards renewable power, hydrogen, carbon capture and manufacturing of clean technologies. Gulf states, including the UAE, are positioning themselves as complementary hubs, offering abundant solar resources, strategic location and established energy expertise.

Analysts say such exchanges are part of a pragmatic approach by regional utilities to balance domestic decarbonisation with economic diversification. Dubai’s power demand continues to grow alongside population and industrial expansion, requiring sustained investment in generation capacity and grid resilience. DEWA has reported steady increases in peak load over the past decade, prompting parallel investments in smart grid technologies, digitalisation and energy storage to maintain reliability while integrating variable renewable sources.

Advanced technologies were also highlighted in the discussions. DEWA has invested in smart metres, automated substations and artificial intelligence systems to enhance efficiency and customer service. The utility’s Research and Development Centre, located at the solar park, focuses on areas such as robotics, energy storage, photovoltaic performance and water desalination powered by renewables. Collaboration with international research bodies and private firms has been framed as essential to accelerate innovation and reduce costs.

Water security remains intertwined with the energy agenda. Dubai relies heavily on desalination, a process traditionally powered by natural gas. DEWA has been shifting towards cleaner desalination technologies, including reverse osmosis plants that consume less energy and can be paired more easily with renewable power. Expanding cooperation with global technology partners could further reduce the carbon footprint of water production.

The broader geopolitical context adds weight to the engagement. The UAE has positioned itself as a bridge between advanced economies and emerging markets on climate action, hosting high-level dialogues and investing in renewable projects across Asia and Africa. Strengthening ties with US-based initiatives aligns with that strategy, particularly as global supply chains for clean technologies become more interlinked.

For Hertzberg and his counterparts, engagement with Gulf utilities offers access to large-scale projects capable of demonstrating commercial viability for new technologies. The scale of developments such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park provides a testing ground for integrating hydrogen production, storage solutions and digital management systems into an operating grid.