DUBAI Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa) has approved a total budget of Dh22.9 billion ($6.23 billion) for this year compared to Dh20.6 billion ($5.6 billion) in 2014.

The new budget aims to ensure a reliable supply of electricity and water to meet Dubai’s development plans in all its operations.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the managing director and chief executive officer, said a total of Dh8.28 billion ($2.25 billion) had been allocated for capital purchases and projects compared to Dh7.06 billion ($1.92 billion) in 2014.

The 2015 budget includes a number of key projects, the most prominent of which is increasing production capacity of the electricity generation and water desalination plant at K-Station in Jebel Ali by adding two gas turbines to generate 500 MW, revealed Al Tayer.

The production capacity of the electricity and water generation plant at M-Station in Jebel Ali will also be increased by 700 MW, he added.

The other projects include building 12 new 132 kV substations, extending 272 km of 132 kV cables, other power transmission and distribution projects, and smart communication networks.

Al Tayer said that about Dh590 million ($160.6 million) has been set aside for water network projects including water reservoirs and transmission networks, and Dh175 million ($47 million) for development of water network. This includes extending new networks.