Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa), one of the largest listed integrated utilities in the region, has joined forces with Etisalat Digital, the arm of Etisalat that is driving digital transformation in the region and beyond, for an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) project to enhance utilities metering in the emirate.
Over the next two years, Taqa’s power and water distribution companies – Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) and Al Ain Distribution Company (AADC) – will work alongside Etisalat Digital to deploy the communication network and an advanced Internet of Things platform for AMI, helping unlock the capability of existing and new smart meters installed in customer homes and businesses.
Taqa said it has already started the journey towards the connectivity of its advanced metering infrastructure with more than 30% of the smart meters in Abu Dhabi already connected. This partnership will bring the connection across the UAE capital to 100%.
Unlike traditional meters, smart meters with advanced connectivity capabilities can give customers access to detailed automatic readings of both their current and historical energy usage, allowing them to better understand and control their consumption.
Such infrastructure serves as the foundation which will enable future demand side management programmes. In addition, these meters will pave the way toward smart grid objectives such as monitoring capacity and outage management.
Taqa Group’s Executive Director (Transmission and Distribution) Omar Al Hashmi said: "Our agreement with Etisalat Digital is a significant moment for customers facing businesses. Once complete, it will ensure higher efficiency standards for our customers and contribute to digitalization of our infrastructure, accelerating operational improvements and smart grid readiness."
"The investment in this contract is also a step towards delivering on our Group strategy which included investing an additional AED40 billion in our UAE-based transmission and distribution business by 2030," he added.
Etisalat Enterprise Digital CEO Salvador Anglada said: "We are pleased to collaborate with TAQA to support its digital transformation initiatives through the use of advanced technologies with the vision to develop and onboard new uses cases using innovative technologies such as 5G, Internet of Things and AI."
"We are proud to be part of this flagship project for Abu Dhabi which will automate, digitalize and manage the AMI systems, pushing all boundaries of technology in line with Abu Dhabi's strategy and vision, and Taqa’s 2030 Strategy," stated Anglada after signing the deal with Saeed Al Suwaidi and Abdulla Ali Al Sheryani, the managing directors of Taqa’s distribution companies (Abu Dhabi Distribution Company and Al Ain Distribution Company).
"This is also aligned with Etisalat Digital's strategy of driving the digital future by enabling our government partners with advanced digital solutions and services," he added.
