The gross output of the water, wastewater and electricity sector in the UAE grew 2.7 per cent in 2018 to Dh55.8 billion ($15 billion) when compared to Dh54.3 billion the year before, according to figures released by the Federal Competitiveness And Statistics Authority.
This is mainly being driven by the booming population and the government's continuous efforts to find efficient alternatives through clean energy sources and launching national mega projects such as the Emirates National Grid project (ENG).
According to official statistics, the sector's gross output grew from Dh38.8 billion in 2014 to around Dh46.5 billion by the end of 2015. In 2016, the sector sustained its growth to Dh48.7 billion before surging to Dh54.3 billion the next year.
One of the main advantages of the ENG project is the financial savings as a result of the reduction in installed reserve capacity on each of the individual utility systems. It enables the commercial transfer of electricity between the power authorities, stated the report by the Authority.
The ENG interconnected system also provides a stronger capacity to withstand major or sudden disturbances, such as the loss of production units and failure of grid elements, whether due to outages or natural catastrophes, as well as several types of crises, it added.
