Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has signed a contract with Cesi Middle East (Cesi) under which the technical consulting and engineering practice will provide consultancy services for an energy project in the emirate.

Cesi will provide consultancy services related to connecting renewable energy generators to the Dewa grid.

The main objectives of the project are to assist Dewa with launching its distributed renewable connection programme and further stabilising Dubai’s energy supply.

In three stages, Cesi will provide strategic counsel on numerous components of grid management and renewable connectivity to solar energy from Dewa’s distribution grid, and will enable it to manage in-house the interaction of its grid with renewable energy projects.

The first of these initiatives involves the installation of solar panels on roofs.

“To encourage households and building owners to install photovoltaic solar panels to produce electricity and use it locally in buildings, Dewa will connect these panels to the grid and buy any excess generated, thus encouraging the use of renewable energy and increasing its share in the energy mix,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive officer of Dewa.

The second initiative comprises smart grids and smart applications, which will speed up connections and ensure faster response through immediate reconnection, while reducing consumption using smart meters.

Thirdly, Dewa will construct and install charging stations for electric vehicles, positioning Dubai as a pioneer in this field.