Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), said the world is undergoing a major transformation in the energy sector, which is a key pillar in building a more sustainable and resilient system.
This transformation is being driven by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across production, transmission, and distribution processes. AI enables industries to grow and communities to thrive by reducing environmental impact, strengthening competitiveness and infrastructure resilience, and improving resource efficiency.
Al Tayer made these remarks in a speech entitled “AI-led Energy Transformation” on the final day of the 2026 World Government Summit (WGS), highlighting the pioneering vision and forward-thinking experience of the UAE and Dubai.
Mr. Al Tayer explained that the energy transition is not an end in itself, but a key driver of sustainable economic growth. He pointed out that a comprehensive transformation of the energy sector cannot be achieved without leveraging Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, especially AI, which is experiencing unprecedented global growth. The global AI market is expected to grow from approximately USD 300 billion in 2024 to USD 4.8 trillion by 2033.
According to the report, by 2027, 40% of power utility control rooms around the world will be powered by AI-driven automation, predictive analytics, and intelligent decision-making. This rapid expansion will significantly increase the energy demands of advanced data centers. By 2035, global data center power consumption is expected to exceed 2,000 terawatt-hours per year, nearly five times the level recorded in 2024.
“Guided by the vision and direction of the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for sustainability and AI,” Al Tayer said.
He added: “His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, is the driving force behind Dubai’s transformative AI strategy. His leadership of the Dubai Artificial Intelligence Center and the launch of initiatives such as the Dubai AI Campus and the annual AI retreat are clear examples of an operational vision that transforms national strategy into tangible results.”
“A report published by Microsoft’s Institute for AI Economics confirms that the UAE maintains its position as the top country in terms of working-age population actively using AI.The latest Oxford Insights report ranks the UAE as one of the world’s top countries in the Government AI Readiness Index 2025, moving from strategy development to large-scale implementation. We are making steady progress toward achieving zero.”
“Through the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, we aim to provide 100% of our energy production capacity from clean sources by 2050,” he added.
Al Taylor emphasized that DEWA does not just view AI as a tool for specific tasks. Rather, it comprehensively integrates AI into the core of an organization’s corporate identity, culture, and strategy, as well as across all operations, from power and water production, transmission, and distribution to customer experience.
DEWA’s AI implementation will help reduce operating costs, increase productivity, and attract investment by providing reliable energy and water infrastructure. It will also create new job opportunities in data analytics, digital engineering and smart systems maintenance.
Al Tayer shared key milestones that demonstrate the role of AI in reshaping the value chain across DEWA’s energy ecosystem.
He said DEWA’s AI efforts began in 2017 with the launch of Rammas, an AI-powered virtual employee, which has responded to more than 12 million customer inquiries without human intervention.
The company has established Digital DEWA, a digital division backed by a comprehensive AI roadmap aimed at making DEWA the world’s first AI-native utility. Through Moro Hub, a subsidiary of Digital DEWA, the authorities have established several data centers. This includes the world’s largest green data center powered by solar energy, as recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. DEWA’s AI-enabled Space-D program aims to enhance planning, predictive maintenance, network asset monitoring, and other operational applications.
Al Tayer highlighted that strategic partnerships with the world’s leading companies and research institutions play a central role in DEWA’s approach to developing world-class AI solutions and innovations that will shape the future of public services.
“Following the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, we will continue to implement the project of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the world’s largest single-site solar park based on the independent power producer model,” Al Tayer said.
He added that AI is playing a key role in increasing the efficiency and productivity of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park by optimizing the cleaning cycles of solar panels, predicting power generation, and improving the integration of energy storage systems with the power grid. He said: “The solar park has become a global landmark, incorporating advanced technologies such as photovoltaic panels, concentrated solar power generation and cutting-edge energy storage solutions. With the park’s current capacity of 3,860MW, clean energy currently accounts for over 21% of Dubai’s energy mix, and the park’s capacity is expected to rise to over 8,000MW by 2030, well above the original 5,000MW.” target. ”
Last year, Al Tayer announced the launch of the world’s first AI-powered gas turbine intelligent controller at DEWA’s Jebel Ali power generation and desalination facility. The system enables autonomous turbine control supported by digital twin technology to optimize thermal performance. DEWA has since expanded this capability to cover the entire combined cycle power block, including gas turbines, steam turbines, and boilers.
DEWA is moving forward to new frontiers in AI for power generation with the development of a “Virtual Engineer” scheduled to go live in June 2026. This highly intelligent system continuously learns from operational data and acts like a seasoned expert, providing predictive failure alerts, root cause analysis, autonomous efficiency calculations, plant optimization recommendations, and real-time scenario simulation.
AI strengthens grid resiliency across the electricity transmission network through advanced machine learning algorithms. In water networks, DEWA’s smart meter operations center leverages AI to provide end-to-end system visibility, increase efficiency, and reduce water loss.
Mr. Al Tayer said that thanks to the continued support and guidance of wise leadership, coupled with decades of experience accumulated, DEWA ranks first among the world’s leading power companies in 13 key performance indicators.
The authority has built world-class power and water infrastructure that drives economic growth, supported by a strong governance framework. It has also attracted major international partners from both the public and private sectors through its independent power and water production model.
“The future of utilities is intelligent. DEWA remains resolute in leading this future, strengthening Dubai’s global leadership, promoting a model where innovation drives sustainability, and ensuring the UAE continues to inspire the world,” Al Tayer concluded.
