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The International Best Practice Competition awarded DEWA’s independent water and power producer model one of five seven-star ratings in June as the utility secured 11 global best practice recognitions overall. Five initiatives earned the top honour while three received six stars and another three achieved five stars with all classified as global best practices. The model developed by the Business Development and Excellence Division in collaboration with the private sector stood out for its implementation of governance transparency supportive regulations feasibility studies fair value creation and risk management practices according to DEWA.
DEWA data places cumulative investments attracted through the IWPP framework at more than Dh47.4 billion since its adoption in 2014 as an alternative to traditional engineering procurement and construction contracts. Earlier statements from the utility had put investments at more than Dh40 billion in 2022 for projects exceeding 4,000 megawatts of capacity with the figure rising as additional schemes reached financial close. The model has enabled record low solar tariffs at key installations while drawing substantial private and international capital according to DEWA.
Flagship applications include the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park which is on track to exceed 8,000 megawatts by 2030 and the Hassyan Seawater Reverse Osmosis facility with a capacity of 180 million imperial gallons per day. These projects illustrate how the IWPP structure supports Dubai’s broader energy transition and water security objectives through structured partnerships. The solar park in particular has delivered some of the world’s lowest tariffs for photovoltaic energy reinforcing the model’s effectiveness.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer DEWA managing director and chief executive officer described the IWPP framework as a key pillar for strategic projects that has contributed to Dubai ranking first globally for greenfield foreign direct investment in 2025 per Financial Times data. He highlighted the model’s success in securing private sector involvement and delivering sustainable infrastructure at competitive costs. Al Tayer’s comments accompanied the competition results that honoured his leadership in building a world-class excellence framework.
Waleed bin Salman executive vice president for business development at DEWA outlined how the utility refined the approach after launching it in 2014 with a focus on transparency and risk allocation that appeals to global investors. He pointed to the solar park and Hassyan plant as demonstrations of the model’s scalability across power generation and water desalination. Bin Salman noted that continuous improvements have helped maintain momentum in attracting capital amid growing demand for clean energy solutions.
The June recognitions also covered innovations such as an artificial intelligence powered smart water monitoring system known as Hydro Insight and a gas turbine intelligent controller that achieved world record reductions in outage periods. Additional awards went to a data driven method for measuring training effectiveness and a standardised digitally optimised design for 132 kilovolt substations. Robin Mann chairman of the International Best Practice Competition praised DEWA’s submissions for advancing innovation sustainability and operational efficiency across its operations.
