DEWA Expands Dubai Power Grid With 22 New 132kV Substations

Dubai, UAE: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has continued to scale up Dubai’s power transmission infrastructure in 2025, commissioning eight new 132kV substations and extending approximately 250 kilometres of underground cables and overhead transmission lines at a cost exceeding USD 368 million.

The latest phase of development forms part of DEWA’s long-term strategy to strengthen network capacity, reliability and efficiency in line with Dubai’s rapid urban, economic and population growth.

Strengthening Power Infrastructure Across Key Districts

The newly commissioned substations and transmission lines were delivered across multiple locations, including Al Warsan 4, Al Yalayis 5, Hatta, Saih Shuaib 3, Al Habiyah 5 and Jebel Ali First. These projects are designed to support expanding residential, industrial and mixed-use developments, while ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply across existing and emerging districts.

In parallel, DEWA commenced construction of five additional 132kV main transmission substations aimed at supplying new Emirati residential communities such as Latifa City, Al Awir I and Al Khawaneej II, alongside established urban areas including Al Satwa and Zabeel II. These projects represent an additional investment of approximately USD 152 million.

With these launches, the total number of 132kV substation projects initiated by DEWA in 2025 has reached 22, underscoring the authority’s accelerated infrastructure rollout.

Supporting Dubai’s Long-Term Growth Plans

The expansion aligns closely with DEWA’s broader mandate to future-proof Dubai’s electricity transmission network and ensure it keeps pace with sustained economic expansion, large-scale real estate development and growing energy demand.

By the end of the third quarter of 2025, Dubai’s electricity transmission network comprised 394 substations, including 27 operating at 400kV and 367 at 132kV. The newly added assets represent a significant reinforcement of this backbone infrastructure, enhancing network resilience and operational flexibility.

DEWA plans to develop at least 78 substations of similar scale over the next three years as part of its approved development programme, reflecting the scale of anticipated demand across the emirate.

Digitalisation And Reliability At The Core

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of DEWA, said the expansion reflects the authority’s commitment to delivering world-class utility services aligned with Dubai’s long-term vision.

“In line with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to provide an advanced and integrated infrastructure for Dubai, we at DEWA are working to deliver electricity and water services according to the highest standards of availability, reliability and efficiency, in order to meet growing demand and to keep pace with the emirate’s sustainable development requirements,” Al Tayer said.

He noted that the total value of electricity transmission network projects currently under construction exceeds USD 2.31 billion, with the reliability and availability of DEWA’s transmission lines approaching 100 percent.

Al Tayer added that the new projects include the construction of substations and the extension of underground cables connecting them to the main network, utilising advanced digital technologies and smart systems adopted globally across the energy transmission sector to ensure optimal safety and operational performance.

A Pipeline Extending To 2028

DEWA’s ongoing transmission expansion programme also includes the construction of 53 additional 132kV substations, approximately 226 kilometres of 132kV underground transmission cables, two 400kV substations and 130 kilometres of 400kV overhead transmission lines. These projects are scheduled for completion by 2028 and are expected to further reinforce Dubai’s position as one of the world’s most reliable and resilient urban power networks.

Together, these initiatives highlight DEWA’s central role in enabling Dubai’s next phase of growth, ensuring that infrastructure readiness remains a cornerstone of the emirate’s sustainable urban development strategy.