By: Utilities Middle east

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Siemens Energy have signed a new agreement to implement the second phase of their artificial intelligence (AI) Plant Intelligent Controller project at the Jebel Ali Power and Desalination Complex, the largest power plant in the UAE.

According to the press release, the deal follows the success of the first phase, which delivered a 2.2% improvement in efficiency, fuel savings, and a reduction of 35,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually for each power block. The second phase will be applied to M-Station Power Blocks 20 and 30.

The agreement was signed in the presence of HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, by Nasser Lootah, Executive Vice President of DEWA’s Generation Division (Power & Water), and Waheed Abbasi, Senior Vice President at Siemens Energy Gas Services, Middle East & North Africa, and Europe. The signing took place during WETEX 2025, organised by DEWA from 30 September to 2 October.

Al Tayer said DEWA’s work is guided by the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. “We continue our efforts to consolidate sustainability and leverage the full potential of AI to enhance power and water infrastructure. Our aim is to make DEWA the world’s first AI-native utility and reinforce Dubai’s position as one of the world’s most future-ready cities.”

He added that the collaboration with Siemens Energy reflects DEWA’s history of innovation to improve operational performance, deliver fuel and cost savings, and support the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 target.

Abbasi said: “This project reflects our commitment to support our partners’ vision for a sustainable future. AI is not just a tool but a catalyst for digital transformation in the energy sector – helping to design and deliver road maps that accelerate the transition to cleaner, more reliable power.”

Lootah added that the longstanding cooperation between DEWA and Siemens Energy has yielded “exceptional results in improving operational efficiency and reducing emissions by utilising AI and machine learning,” and stressed the continued importance of these technologies in future operations.

The Plant Intelligent Controller leverages AI and digital twin-based closed-loop controllers to help power plants adapt to changing grid requirements, ensuring optimal year-round performance while cutting fuel use and improving efficiency.