Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has awarded 21 contracts valued at approximately AED 3 billion for the construction of 132kV transmission substations and associated underground transmission cable networks across several key areas of Dubai.
The contracts form part of DEWA’s ongoing investment in strategic electricity transmission infrastructure to meet the emirate’s growing power demand and support residential, commercial, and economic development projects.
The awarded contracts cover the construction of 132kV transmission substations in several districts, including Al Barsha South Fourth and Fifth, Al Jaddaf, Al Yalayis First, Al Yufrah First, Bu Kadra, Jebel Ali First, Airport City, Me’aisem First and Second, Saih Al Dahal, Umm Suqeim First, Wadi Al Safa Third, Warsan Second and Fourth, and Zabeel Second.
In addition to the substation construction works, DEWA has awarded contracts for the installation and extension of approximately 64 kilometres of 132kV underground transmission cables to connect the new substations to the main electricity transmission network.
The AED 3 billion contract package represents a major expansion of Dubai’s high-voltage electricity transmission infrastructure and will strengthen the reliability and capacity of the emirate’s power network.
Separately, DEWA Managing Director and CEO HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer announced that the authority’s strategic investments in electricity transmission network projects have now exceeded AED 10 billion.
During the first half of 2026, DEWA commissioned eight 132kV substations with a combined transformation capacity of 1,200 MVA, at a total cost of AED 970 million. The projects also included the installation of approximately 20 kilometres of transmission cables.
DEWA also commissioned a 400/132kV transmission substation at Saih Al Dahal, located within the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The substation has a total transformation capacity of 2,000 MVA and was developed at a cost of AED 630 million. The project scope also included the construction of approximately 117 kilometres of 400kV overhead transmission lines.
Looking ahead, DEWA is currently developing 65 new 132kV substations and one 400kV substation in collaboration with its main contractors and suppliers. Over the next three years, the authority plans to issue tenders for more than 30 additional 132kV substations, alongside the installation of approximately 340 kilometres of underground transmission cables and the construction of two additional 400kV substations.
The newly commissioned 132kV substations include facilities serving Madinat Hind 4, Al Khairan First, Al Layan First, Nad Al Sheba First, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Gardens, Al Barsha South Fourth, Me’aisem Second, and Al Manara, supporting electricity demand from major residential and development projects across Dubai.
As of the end of the first half of 2026, DEWA’s transmission network comprised 402 transmission substations, including 28 substations at 400kV level and 374 substations at 132kV level.
According to DEWA, the strategic transmission projects are being developed to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and resilience of Dubai’s electricity network while supporting the emirate’s continued economic and urban growth. The projects also align with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Dubai Social Agenda 33.
The latest investments demonstrate DEWA’s continued focus on expanding high-voltage transmission infrastructure and ensuring sufficient electricity capacity to meet current and future demand across Dubai.
