DEWA Reports A 39% Surge In Infrastructure NOC Applications In 2023

In a significant development for Dubai's infrastructure and information services sector, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), announced a notable increase in the approval of applications for No Objection Certificates (NOCs). The year 2023 witnessed a surge of over 39% in approved NOCs compared to the previous year, highlighting the growing demand for electricity and water services in the region. This uptick is attributed to the increasing number of infrastructure projects in Dubai, aiming to meet international standards in reliability, quality, and efficiency.

Al Tayer underscored DEWA's commitment to supporting Dubai's economic prosperity and its burgeoning population. The authority's efforts are in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which seeks to double the size of Dubai's economy within the next decade and establish its position among the top three global cities. "The increasing demand for our innovative services supports our effective and constructive contribution to provide an advanced and integrated infrastructure for electricity and water," Al Tayer stated. He emphasized the aim to manage facilities and services through smart, interconnected systems leveraging Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.

The Marafeq Smart Feature, an award-winning initiative by DEWA, has played a pivotal role in streamlining the process of issuing NOCs for infrastructure and information services. Since its inception until the end of last year, DEWA approved 26,159 NOCs, with 8,047 approved in 2023 alone, marking a significant increase from the 5,807 approvals in 2022. This feature not only accelerates the issuance process but also fosters enhanced collaboration between DEWA and other utilities in Dubai.

One of the most notable improvements introduced by the Marafeq Smart Feature is the reduction in steps required to obtain NOC approvals—from seven steps down to three—and a significant decrease in processing time from 60 to 20 minutes. It provides contractors and consultants with six-month access to live data about DEWA’s infrastructure networks. Moreover, by utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS), this advanced feature ensures data protection, prevents data loss, and offers accurate information about infrastructure projects in Dubai.

This initiative underscores DEWA's commitment to adopting innovative solutions to meet the growing demands of Dubai's dynamic economy and its infrastructure needs. By enhancing efficiency and collaboration, DEWA continues to play a crucial role in supporting the city's development goals and ensuring high standards of service delivery.

With inputs from WAM