HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), inaugurated DEWA's Strategy Week 2016 at a ceremony in the InterContinental hotel at Dubai Festival City. Dr. Noah Raford, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Dubai Future Foundation, and DEWA's officials and staff were also present.

The activities at Al Quoz Sustainable Building, Warsan and Jebel Ali, will promote DEWA's strategy for the future, and construct a strategy-focused culture among staff members. This includes videos about DEWA's journey towards success and excellence and the DEWA Strategy 2021, in addition to different events combining DEWA's strategic values, principles and concepts. Also, sessions will be held on DEWAs special expedition to the Amazon Rainforest. The expedition studied the effects of climate change on biodiversity, ecosystems and the inhabitants of the Amazon.

Al Tayer provided the opening speech, as he emphasised that the style of the event, 'Shaping the Future,' reflects DEWA's vision and commitment to perform the government's vision and directives under the smart leadership of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

" DEWA organises this event every year as part of our belief in the value of strategic preparation, and predicting the future to achieve our Strategy 2021 that abides by the UAE Vision 2021, the Dubai Plan 2021, and the Dubai Smart effort to improve the competitiveness of the UAE, and its position as an international hub for green economy and sustainability, while establishing development as a significant component of our continuous improvement. We adopt the idea of development as part of our vision, and created Strategic Innovation to raise its significance as a theme to incorporate 40% of DEWA's tactical map. Strategic planning is a major contributor to DEWA's success, as well as acts as a framework to attain our vision to become a sustainable innovative first-rate utility. This reflects the value of sharing the key elements of DEWA's Strategy 2021 with our employees. This will develop a corporate culture based on clear tactical priorities, boost the role of our employees to attain DEWA's vision, while encouraging their further contribution to making Dubai the smartest city worldwide, and accomplish social, economic, and environmental sustainability in Dubai," stated Al Tayer.

" DEWA's Strategy 2021 goals to achieve the happiness of all stakeholders, and improve the competitiveness of the UAE, by supplying the best government services at the highest levels of effectiveness and responsibility, while adopting the best international practices to attain the happiness and satisfaction of all individuals.

We have actually achieved unpreceded accomplishments in your area and globally, consisting of the UAE, represented by DEWA, being ranked initially in the Middle East and North Africa and fourth internationally for the third successive year for getting electricity in the World Bank's Doing Business 2016 report. DEWA's client minutes lost is now 3.87 minutes, compared to 15 minutes recorded by leading utilities in the European Union and the USA.

Water network losses decreased to 8.2%, compared with 15% in North America, achieving worldwide results in minimizing water losses. DEWA likewise improved the design of its electricity and water infrastructure to enhance fuel consumption efficiency, by 90% and its generation efficiency by 27%, as a result of ongoing enhancements between 2006 and 2015.

All these accomplishments would not be achieved without our reliance on innovation, creativity, and forecasting the future as a pillar of our corporate work. This has allowed us to enhance our performance in a short time, permitting us to take on worldwide organisations," he included.

" We continuously operate in adherence with the instructions of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to implement the goals set by the Dubai Future Agenda, as the framework to shape and predict the future of Dubai, and the UAE's strategic sectors. DEWA supports the framework of the Dubai Future Agenda, to establish the biggest government accelerator on the planet. We follow a clear and integrated method based on innovation, and work to even more execute new initiatives, while continually supporting Research and Development jobs, to deal with fast technological advancements," Al Tayer stated.

The Innovation Centre, located at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, is equipped with the latest renewable energy technology. The Innovation Centre works to increase our use of renewable energy, while enhancing the competitiveness of the region by developing new technology and renewable energy solutions according to the highest international standards and best practices .DEWA works to find innovative services through the usage of technology and Big Data, to study the behaviour of clients. DEWA also makes use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to assist in energy and water operations.

Al Tayer emphasised that DEWA is keen on observing and carrying out the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, to provide 7% of Dubai's total power output from clean energy by 2020. DEWA also supports the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy, which is an unique worldwide effort to utilize innovation for the service of mankind and promote the status of the UAE and Dubai as a worldwide hub for 3D printing technology, by 2030.

DEWA adds to developing a smarter Dubai that uses integrated electronic information, connected with each other through IT systems and a synchronised network using the Internet and Cloud Computing. This will add to organising the city's work and management, and promote its infrastructure and services consisting of education, healthcare, security, transport, and utilities. All facilities will be more efficient and dependable with brand-new technologies and sensing units in all significant and vital locations in the Emirate.

DEWA has included strategic objectives within its strategy map with a focus on envisioning the future, innovation, and the happiness of stakeholders. This is achieved by organising workshops that promote innovation. DEWA has developed an integrated strategy to stimulate innovative ideas and suggestions, which are major components of DEWAs corporate values. DEWAs Creativity Lab events are the ideal platform to exchange expertise and share best international practices, in collaboration with international experts, concluded Al Tayer.

Dr. Raford delivered a speech about Dubais future over the course of the next 20 years.

DEWAs Strategy Week reflects DEWAs commitment to adopt best practices in strategic planning and implementation. Leadership and innovation are cornerstones of DEWAs strategy, which contributes to its development and growth, being a strategy-driven utility. This adheres to Dubais strategic objectives to achieve sustainable development, and builds on its position as a global hub for trade, finance and tourism, said Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at DEWA.