Latest news with #Dewa
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Dubai Airports to launch final phase of lighting retrofit project
Dubai Airports has signed an agreement with Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad Esco) to launch the final phase of its airport-wide lighting retrofit project, a key milestone in its ongoing sustainability agenda and a major step towards energy-efficient operations at both of Dubai's airports. Etihad Esco is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa). This newly signed phase will see over 180,000 conventional lighting fixtures replaced with energy-saving alternatives across Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC), with Concourse A at DXB being the largest single area covered. Combined with the first phase completed earlier and covering 150,000 lighting units at DXB, the project will upgrade more than 330,000 lighting units in total, making it one of the most extensive airport lighting retrofit initiatives in the region, said the statement from Dubai Airports. The project is expected to cut annual energy consumption by 47 million kilowatt-hours (kWh), equivalent to powering over 4,300 homes for an entire year, a significant result that highlights the real-world impact of operational sustainability. The initiative will also deliver annual cost savings of more than AED20 million, contributing to Dubai Airports' efforts to optimise efficiency while supporting Dubai's wider environmental targets. On the strategic deal, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa, said: "Aligned with the UAE's commitment to climate change resilience and sustainable growth, we are dedicated to supporting Dubai's journey towards a green economy." "This aligns with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. The partnership between Dubai Airports and Etihad Esco is a prime example of our collective efforts to promote energy efficiency, reduce emissions and advance Dubai's Clean Energy Strategy," stated Al Tayer. "Through initiatives like this large-scale retrofit, we are actively building a greener, more resilient future to support our country's needs and ambitions," he added. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said: "In partnership with Etihad Esco and Dewa, this project highlights the power of collaboration in achieving measurable sustainability results. Airports are significant energy consumers, and that gives us both the opportunity and the responsibility to lead meaningful change." "This lighting project goes beyond efficiency upgrades; it is about embedding sustainability into the core of our day-to-day operations. Every kilowatt-hour saved moves us closer to reducing our environmental impact and building a more resilient future. It sets the benchmark for what a truly sustainable airport can and should achieve," he added. Etihad Energy Services Company CEO Dr Waleed Alnuaimi said: "We are driven by the mission to transform Dubai's infrastructure as an outstanding example of energy efficiency and sustainability." "This final phase of the lighting retrofit project with Dubai Airports is a testament to how strategic partnerships and innovative solutions can deliver measurable impact – from substantial energy savings to a reduced carbon footprint. It reaffirms our shared vision of making Dubai a global leader in sustainable development," he stated. Dubai Airports said the installation work is scheduled to begin later this year and conclude by the second half of 2027. This milestone reflects Dubai Airports' commitment to decarbonising operations through practical, high-impact projects and reinforces Dubai's position as a global hub for sustainable aviation infrastructure, it added. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Trade Arabia
a day ago
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Dubai Airports to launch final phase of lighting retrofit project
Dubai Airports has signed an agreement with Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad Esco) to launch the final phase of its airport-wide lighting retrofit project, a key milestone in its ongoing sustainability agenda and a major step towards energy-efficient operations at both of Dubai's airports. Etihad Esco is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa). This newly signed phase will see over 180,000 conventional lighting fixtures replaced with energy-saving alternatives across Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC), with Concourse A at DXB being the largest single area covered. Combined with the first phase completed earlier and covering 150,000 lighting units at DXB, the project will upgrade more than 330,000 lighting units in total, making it one of the most extensive airport lighting retrofit initiatives in the region, said the statement from Dubai Airports. The project is expected to cut annual energy consumption by 47 million kilowatt-hours (kWh), equivalent to powering over 4,300 homes for an entire year, a significant result that highlights the real-world impact of operational sustainability. The initiative will also deliver annual cost savings of more than AED20 million, contributing to Dubai Airports' efforts to optimise efficiency while supporting Dubai's wider environmental targets. On the strategic deal, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa, said: "Aligned with the UAE's commitment to climate change resilience and sustainable growth, we are dedicated to supporting Dubai's journey towards a green economy." "This aligns with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. The partnership between Dubai Airports and Etihad Esco is a prime example of our collective efforts to promote energy efficiency, reduce emissions and advance Dubai's Clean Energy Strategy," stated Al Tayer. "Through initiatives like this large-scale retrofit, we are actively building a greener, more resilient future to support our country's needs and ambitions," he added. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said: "In partnership with Etihad Esco and Dewa, this project highlights the power of collaboration in achieving measurable sustainability results. Airports are significant energy consumers, and that gives us both the opportunity and the responsibility to lead meaningful change." "This lighting project goes beyond efficiency upgrades; it is about embedding sustainability into the core of our day-to-day operations. Every kilowatt-hour saved moves us closer to reducing our environmental impact and building a more resilient future. It sets the benchmark for what a truly sustainable airport can and should achieve," he added. Etihad Energy Services Company CEO Dr Waleed Alnuaimi said: "We are driven by the mission to transform Dubai's infrastructure as an outstanding example of energy efficiency and sustainability." "This final phase of the lighting retrofit project with Dubai Airports is a testament to how strategic partnerships and innovative solutions can deliver measurable impact – from substantial energy savings to a reduced carbon footprint. It reaffirms our shared vision of making Dubai a global leader in sustainable development," he stated. Dubai Airports said the installation work is scheduled to begin later this year and conclude by the second half of 2027.
Time Out Dubai
22-05-2025
- General
- Time Out Dubai
The 20 classic Dubai words and phrases we use every day
Feeling a little lost in translation? There are some essential terms that you'll need to know about when navigating life in the UAE. From Arabic words that are used in everyday conversation (the elusive yaani) to confusing lingo in apartment adverts (chiller-free… post-dated cheques…) here is your handy guide to Dubai words you need to know. Dubai words. Credit: Adobe Express Classic Dubai words and phrases Ahlan wa sahlan Definition: Literally translated, ahlan wa sahlan means welcome, however, it is commonly used as a general greeting just like hello in English. How to use it in a sentence: 'Ahlan wa sahlan, please come in.' Alhamdulillah Definition: Arabic for Praise be to God and thank God. It is used to say thank you to God for good things that happen to you. How to use it in a sentence: 'I passed my class, Alhamdulillah.' Arbab Definition: Arbab is originally a Persian word that means 'boss' or 'landlord'. In Dubai, it's used to describe someone who oversees you or your work. How to use in a sentence: 'Arbab, can I please have the day off?' Boss Definition: A casual way to address a man, similar to saying mate. It is often said to delivery drivers, petrol station attendants and people preparing your food. How to use it in a sentence: 'Yes boss. Thank you, boss.' Chammak Definition: A very colloquial way to describe teens that hang around malls at night and try hard to be part of the cool group. How to use it in a sentence: 'On a Friday night, this spot is full of chammaks.' Chiller-free Definition: A place that is advertised as chiller-free means that the tenant does not pay for air conditioning usage. How to use it in a sentence: 'The apartment is chiller-free.' DEWA Definition: Dubai Electricity & Water Authority is the authority which supplies electricity and water to residents' homes. How to use it in a sentence: 'My Dewa bill was quite high this month.' Ejari Definition: An online registration system initiated by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) that all tenants and landlords must use when living in Dubai. How to use it in a sentence: 'I need to sort the Ejari out for my new apartment.' Habibi Definition: An endearing way to say my love/my dear in Arabic. It can be used to address a friend or sweetheart. How to use it in a sentence: 'Habibi, come to Dubai.' Inshallah Definition: Arabic for if God is willing and used to say the outcome of something is in God's hands. How to use it in a sentence: 'I will send over the paperwork today, inshallah.' Khalas Definition: It's an Arabic word for 'finish' or 'that's it'. How to use it in a sentence: 'Khalas, I don't want to be a part of this anymore.' Khalli walli Definition: A very Dubai-specific way of saying forget about it. How to use it in a sentence: 'Khalli walli, I don't want to go out anymore.' Mabrook Definition: Congratulations. How to use it in a sentence: 'Mabrook on your new car. It looks amazing.' Mashallah Definition: Arabic saying that translates in English to God willed it and is used to praise God when something happens. How to use it in a sentence: 'You are so pretty, Mashallah.' Post-dated cheques Definition: Cheques that are dated for a later date in the future and often required when renting a home in Dubai. How to use it in a sentence: 'I have to provide four post-dated cheques to my landlord when I sign my lease.' RERA Definition: RERA stands for the Real Estate Regulatory Agency – a government agency responsible for regulating the real estate sector in Dubai. How to use it in a sentence: 'I am going to contact RERA to find out if my landlord is allowed to increase my rent this much.' Wallah Definition: Arabic for I swear by God and used to prove you are telling the truth. How to use it in a sentence: 'Wallah, this is the best meal I've had.' Yaani This might be one of the trickiest words to translate. Definition: It is the Arabic word for 'means' or 'like'. It can also be used as a filler word instead of 'um' or 'you know'. How to use it in a sentence: 'Yaani, why am I involved?' Yakhee Definition: Bro or bruh. How to use it in a sentence: 'Yakhee, just come here.' Yalla Definition: Arabic saying meaning let's go and often used to hurry people along. How to use it in a sentence: 'Yalla, let's go.' Everything you need to know about Dubai… 18 things you need to know before moving to Dubai Here are a few quick things you need to know about arriving in Dubai Convenient things you can use your Emirates ID for Pay for petrol, withdraw cash and more Everything you need to know about Global Village What to do at the family attraction
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Rise of fintech: A new era of smart innovative services
The UAE is racing towards a fully digital future, transforming how people access government services and reshaping everyday experiences across sectors like banking, telecom, healthcare, and hospitality. Driven by its bold vision for smart governance, the nation is harnessing the power of fintech and cutting-edge technologies to make services faster, simpler, and more accessible. 'For Parkin, this shift meant fully digitising our entire ecosystem — covering everything from payments and fines to permits, subscriptions, and tickets. Today, customers can access our services seamlessly through the Parkin mobile app, our website, and integrated government platforms such as the RTA app, RTA website, and Dubai Now app,' says Engineer Ahmed Al Zaabi, Director of Technology and Innovation at Parkin, in an interview with BTR. 'The goal is to simplify public services, reduce friction, and bring time and convenience back to residents. Parkin's use of cloud-based technology powered by green energy also reflects the country's emphasis on sustainability within digital transformation. This aligns with Dubai's Digital Strategy, which aims to digitalise all aspects of life in Dubai, establishing a reliable and robust digital system that enhances the digital economy and empowers a digitally-driven society.' This evolution is not just about making government services available online — it's about fundamentally rethinking how services are delivered. Alexander Khanin, Founder of Polynome Group and Machines Can See Summit, notes: 'The UAE's approach to digitalisation has led to creating a fully integrated proactive ecosystem. Today, digital services are not just reactive; they anticipate citizen needs and personalise interactions across sectors. The shift toward a seamless, service-driven, and user-centered model has made accessing government services faster, more intuitive, and more aligned with daily life. This transformation reflects the UAE's broader ambition to become not only a digital hub, but a global leader in citizen-centric governance powered by AI and emerging technologies.' A prime example of this proactive model is seen in Dubai Electricity and Water Authority's (Dewa) adoption of the 'Services 360' policy. Aysha Al Dhuhoori, Deputy Senior Manager - Artificial Intelligence at Dewa, explains: 'DEWA has adopted Dubai's 'Services 360' policy across all its services in the energy and water sectors to ensure they are seamless, proactive, and integrated, thereby improving customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. The implementation has yielded tangible results, including full automation and a complete transition to self-services that require no physical presence.' 'The policy focuses on digital-first, proactive, and integrated approaches to make government services more efficient and customer-centric. It ensures services are available in real-time through a unified digital identity (UAE Pass), anticipates customer needs, and improves communication. The policy connects databases across government entities, minimising the data required from customers, and provides round-the-clock service channels tailored to their preferences,' she added. Complementing these efforts, Salem Al Shamsi, Director, Shared Services Applications Department, Digital Dubai Government Establishment, highlights another innovation: 'The Smart Employee application, by Digital Dubai, now includes an AI-powered talent acquisition service. The AI analyses the candidates' CVs based on the job description they have applied for, evaluating their skills, education, and overall suitability for the role. Based on this analysis, HR professionals and recruiters can easily assess whether a candidate is a good fit for the position and proceed accordingly. Currently, around 80 government entities are using the Smart Employee application, and this new service is being gradually rolled out to different entities as part of our expansion plan.' Elevating Customer Experience 'Fintech has been a key driver of digital transformation in the UAE,' added Al Zaabi. 'The growing use of contactless payment solutions like Google Pay, Apple Pay, and buy-now-pay-later platforms such as Tabby has reshaped how people engage with public services.' At Parkin, fintech adoption has enabled a critical shift away from legacy systems reliant on physical cash collection, transitioning toward real-time digital payment processing. This not only streamlined financial operations but also elevated the customer experience by making transactions instant and effortless. 'It has empowered us to design smarter services — such as AutoPay and AutoRenewal — easily managed through the Parkin Wallet,' Al Zaabi said. Today, Parkin boasts that over 92% of its transactions are cashless, processing more than 400,000 mobile transactions daily. The tap-to-pay convenience is made possible by integrating smart payment technologies, wallet systems, and contactless infrastructure across multiple platforms, including the Parkin App, RTA channels, and Dubai Now. Users can easily handle dynamic ticket renewals, scheduled bookings, and automatic payments for shared mobility providers like ekar, Udrive, and Yaldi. 'Our systems are underpinned by a secure, scalable cloud infrastructure that ensures speed, reliability, and a seamless user experience,' Al Zaabi said, highlighting the critical role technology plays behind the scenes. Similarly, Khanin added, 'Behind the everyday simplicity of 'tap-and-go' payments lies a sophisticated ecosystem. Digital identity platforms like UAE PASS, combined with a robust network of payment systems — such as Apple Pay, Noqodi, and others — create a unified, secure environment for transactions. Importantly, this entire framework is underpinned by strong cybersecurity standards, continuous monitoring, and multi-level redundancy systems to ensure resilience against threats.' Across other sectors, digital transformation is equally profound. Al Dhuhoori explained how the authority has leveraged digital technologies and integrated systems to raise the bar for quality and reliability in service delivery. This effort has birthed initiatives such as the Actual Load Profiles Simulator (ALPS), an AI-driven platform that uses weather data to accurately simulate solar energy generation without needing individual meters. 'This improves efficiency, reduces losses, and supports renewable energy integration,' Al Dhuhoori said. Building on this, Al Dhuhoori highlighted how digital innovation is also empowering customers. 'Dewa provides many digital services and smart tools to help customers better understand and manage their electricity and water consumption. Dewa's 'Smart Living' dashboard enables customers to monitor their daily, monthly, and yearly consumption, while the 'My Sustainable Living Programme' allows them to compare their consumption with similar homes with a high degree of energy efficiency. It also provides customised tips for customers to manage their consumption efficiently,' she added. Customer engagement has also been transformed with the help of Dewa's virtual assistant, 'Rammas for You'. Powered by AI and enhanced with ChatGPT capabilities, Rammas provides multilingual support across Dewa's website and smart app. 'Rammas simulates a live agent, learning from every interaction to better understand and address customer needs,' Al Dhuhoori noted. Customers can either select from menu options or ask direct questions, with Rammas offering transactional services, linking users to complete procedures, and even incorporating a self-evaluation system to continuously enhance its learning. Highlighting the success of these digital efforts, Al Dhuhoori shared, 'Providing all our services through the website and smart app enabled customers to complete more than 14 million digital transactions in 2024, marking a 12% increase compared to 2023. The digital transactions conducted by Dewa customers included over two million transactions via the website, more than 4.8 million through its smart app and over 7.2 million via various digital channels that Dewa provides in collaboration with its partners.' In line with these achievements, Dewa scored 98.6% in the Dubai Government Instant Happiness Index by the Dubai Digital Authority, while customer satisfaction, as measured by the Dubai Government Excellence Programme, stood at an impressive 97.01%. Furthermore, Dewa has scored 100% in the International Digital Customer Experience Standard (IDCXS:2022) certificate since its first assessment in 2022. Beyond customer service, Dewa is deploying AI across internal operations. Initiatives such as Distribution Automation support smart grid operations, while AI agents manage material insights, billing, HR services, legislation guidance, and employee learning. 'We are using artificial intelligence to not only enhance service provision but also improve government efficiency at every level,' Al Dhuhoori emphasised. A Unified Vision for a Digital Future The UAE is quickly establishing itself as a global benchmark for public payment digitisation, driven by a forward-thinking, integrated approach. 'The UAE is well on its way to becoming a global benchmark in public payment digitisation. What makes its model unique is the whole-of-government approach — aligning policy, technology, and execution under a unified vision,' according to Al Zaabi. Government initiatives such as the Paperless Government Mandate, unified platforms like Dubai Now, and integrated mobility solutions — particularly the model used by Parkin — all highlight the UAE's unwavering commitment to innovation. Al Zaabi emphasised the country's emphasis on providing a seamless, customer-centric experience: 'Our ability to offer multi-service functionality — from parking and car washing to EV charging and valet — within a single app delivers a seamless user experience. The UAE's emphasis on innovation, customer-centric design, and sustainability is what truly sets its approach apart globally,' Al Zaabi added. Looking ahead, the UAE's digital transformation journey shows no signs of slowing down. The next wave will see an increased focus on personalisation, AI-driven automation, and deeper ecosystem integration. For Parkin, this future includes 'smarter mobility features like predictive parking availability, enhanced integration with shared mobility providers, and real-time decision-making dashboards,' Al Zaabi revealed. Moreover, the company is expanding its offerings to create a true one-stop-shop experience. 'We're also expanding our service offering to allow users to manage everything from parking and valet bookings to vehicle maintenance, EV charging, and car washing — all within a single app.'
The National
14-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Three companies bolster UAE presence on MSCI emerging markets index
UAE companies Adnoc Gas, Salik and Dewa are among new entities set to be included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index next month, in a move that is expected to help them broaden their investor base. The additions will take effect after markets close on Friday, May 30, MSCI said on Tuesday. MSCI's Emerging Markets Index is tracked by investors managing trillions of dollars in assets. The benchmark is designed to measure the performance of large and mid-cap stocks across 24 emerging markets and has more than 1,320 constituents. Index inclusion usually supports increased liquidity for a company's shares and can help to attract more regional and global institutional investors. Along with Adnoc Gas, Dubai toll operator Salik and the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority were among the 30 new additions globally to the MSCI index. Adnoc Gas is the third Adnoc company to be admitted to the index, after the inclusion of Adnoc Distribution and Adnoc Drilling. Other UAE companies that are already part of the index include First Abu Dhabi Bank, Emaar Properties, e&, Emirates NBD, Aldar Properties and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. The inclusion will help Adnoc Gas to "improve passive cash inflows by between $300 million to $500 million and facilitate a more diversified investor base", the company said in a statement on Wednesday to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, where its shares are traded. 'The recent $2.84 billion marketed offering, which increased the company's free float by 80 per cent, has already led to a six-fold rise in average daily trading volume, and we are confident that our continued strategic focus on growth will deliver further value for shareholders through 2025 and beyond,' said Fatema Al Nuaimi, chief executive at Adnoc Gas. Adnoc Gas, which operates across the gas value chain, from processing to the sale of products to domestic and international customers, has customers in more than 20 countries. It meets about 60 per cent of the UAE's gas needs. The company, which reported a 7 per cent year-on-year increase in net income for the first quarter of 2025, aims to invest $15 billion in attractive opportunities from 2025 to 2029, it said. Meanwhile, Salik said its inclusion in the index follows the execution of its updated strategy since its implementation last year, enabling it to meet the necessary market capitalisation, free float-adjusted market capitalisation and liquidity requirements. 'MSCI's UAE Index offers global investors ease of access and a compelling opportunity to capitalise on the UAE's thriving equity market," said Ibrahim Al Haddad, chief executive of Salik. The company's net profit for the first quarter increased 33.7 per cent year-on-year to Dh370.6 million ($100.91 million), while revenue also rose 33.7 per cent to Dh751.6 million. In the first three months of 2025, the toll operator said it recorded 210.8 million trips, up 35 per cent annually, as the number of vehicles on the roads in Dubai also rose. It has launched two new toll gates in Dubai, taking the total number to 10 and introduced dynamic pricing, which is expected to drive additional revenue for the business, Salik said on Wednesday. "Alongside core tolling, Salik is expanding ancillary revenue streams including parking solution partnerships with Emaar Malls and Parkonic, and a first-of-its-kind insurance partnership with Liva," it added. Dewa's inclusion in the index "reinforces our growing relevance on the global investment stage", Saeed Al Tayer, vice chairman, managing director and chief executive of Dewa, said. Dewa, the largest listed company on the Dubai Financial Market with a market capitalisation exceeding Dh130 billion, reported a 23 per cent drop in annual profit for the first quarter to Dh497.8 million, despite posting a 3 per cent rise in revenue. "As a new constituent, Dewa is expected to benefit from increased visibility, enhanced trading liquidity and passive inflows from index-linked investment products," the utility said.
