Business & Finance Club Magazine - Industrial Sector - Dubai:  The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) is completing the construction of 62 substations valued at Dh10 billion as part of efforts to expand the emirate's utility infrastructure, Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive officer of Dewa, said Tuesday.

Al Tayer said Dewa's assets are valued at more than Dh74 billion and the combined book value of its projects stands at Dh30 billion.

Dewa is currently finishing six substations, with a capacity of 400kV and 56 others with a capacity of 132kV, which started during the first quarter of this year.

The moves are in line with Dewa's master plan to ensure capacity exceeds demand through the installation and launching of transmission and distribution substations in various areas of Dubai.

Dewa's efforts come within the framework of moves to upgrade its capabilities to meet the growing demand for its services while continuing a steady pace in implementing vital projects, especially infrastructure.

"These stations cover large areas such as Al Diyafah, Muhaisnah, Jumeirah Village, Mirdif, Business Bay, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai Studio City, Dubailand, Silicon Oasis, Dubai Investment Park, Jebel Ali Free Zone and other areas," Al Tayer said.

"Last year, Dewa completed 14 major substations of 400kV and 139 main major substations of 132kV," he added. "These stations constitute the backbone of our transmission network and enable us to upgrade our production efficiency and operations, thus advancing in the process of sustainable development while introducing the latest technologically advanced projects to increase our energy production."

New technology

He added that the stations are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to further enhance their reliability and efficiency which "will ultimately serve Dubai's urban and economic expansion."

Dewa recently signed six contracts with a combined value of Dh3.13 billion, at the Wetex 2010 exhibition, to develop the utility's infrastructure.

Of these, France's Areva T&D SA received the biggest contract, worth Dh1.03 billion, to supply, install, test and commission three 132/11 kV substations.