UAE's first electric vehicle charging station opens in Dubai

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, has inaugurated the first electric vehicle charging station in Dubai at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (Dewa) main office.

The ceremony was attended by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dewa, Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority, RTA, Ahmed bin Byat, Chairman of the Board of Directors of du, Ahmed Butti Al Muhairbi, Secretary-General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Abdullah Kalban, MD and CEO of Emirates Global Aluminium, Abdullah Abdel Kareem, Director General of the Department of Oil Affairs, Dr. Aisha Butti bin Bishr, Assistant Director-General at the Executive Office of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Ali Shahdoor, Deputy Chief Editor of Al Bayan, Sami Al Reyami, Editor-in-Chief of Emarat Al Youm, and senior officials from the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Dewa.

The move supports the Smart Dubai initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the happiest city on earth that provides the most efficient and seamless experience and is the safest place for residents and visitors.

"By transforming Dubai into the smartest city in the world, we aim to make our society happier and provide smart, instant, and seamless services that are available anytime, anywhere. Dubai has all the elements to be a global leader in sustainability, competitiveness, and green economy," said Al Tayer.

"This station is an important step towards achieving the objectives of the sustainable smart city and transforming Dubai into the smartest city in the world. It also supports the Dubai Plan 2021 and the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 to establish Dubai as a global hub for trade, finance, tourism, and sustainability, and a global role model of the highest standards of energy efficiency. One of the main factors for the success of smart cities is to provide a smart environment that rationally and sustainably uses resources in an innovative way, by adopting state-of-the-art technologies. Dewa has developed a comprehensive strategy for smart grids. Currently, Dewa is implementing three main initiatives. These are connecting solar energy to houses and buildings, smart applications through smart meters and grids, and the infrastructure for vehicle charging stations. Dewa has started implementing the electric vehicle charging station infrastructure initiative," added Al Tayer.

"This pioneering initiative will greatly support Dewa’s efforts to reduce the carbon footprint, protect the environment, and drive Dubai’s sustainable development forward. We are confident this project will have the full support of Dubai residents as well as government and private organisations," concluded Al Tayer.

Dewa’s third initiative includes building the infrastructure needed to introduce electric vehicles in the emirate, and establishing 100 charging stations in 2015. Dewa is collaborating with a number of national and private organisations to implement this leading project. These include car manufacturers, national airports, shopping malls, petrol stations, Dubai Municipality, RTA, hotels, and owners and operators of parking lots in Dubai. DEWA is also working with real estate developers, including Emaar and Nakheel, to determine the most appropriate sites to set up electric vehicle charging stations across Dubai.




 

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