EtihadWE Announces New Tariffs To Propel Industrial And Technology Sector Growth

Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) has unveiled a new initiative aimed at bolstering industrial growth in the northern emirates through revised tariffs designed to incentivise industrial projects. This initiative, developed in collaboration with the UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, underscores EtihadWE’s dedication to supporting the national economy by attracting investment, creating jobs, and driving industrial sector growth.

The announcement was made during the 3rd edition of the 'Make it in the Emirates' forum, attended by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Sarah bint Youssef Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology. This initiative is part of a broader effort to coordinate and integrate government agencies to support the 'Make it in the Emirates' initiative.

Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, stated: "The industrial sector is the backbone of our economy, and this initiative is a bold step forward in our economic journey. It will significantly advance our industrial sector and attract investment in the northern emirates."

Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, added: "The ministry is committed to introducing competitive incentives alongside its strategic partners to support national industries. The new tariffs align with Operation 300bn's objectives to enhance investment attractiveness for local and international investors. Under the Make it in the Emirates initiative, we aim to strengthen the UAE’s competitive advantages and boost the industrial sector's contribution to GDP."

The revised tariff scheme offers lower electricity rates for industrial customers who meet specific energy consumption thresholds. New pricing bands have been introduced for industrial customers with monthly consumption above 10,000 MWh, with tariffs starting from 32 fils/kWh and going down to 26 fils/kWh. Additional incentives include more favourable connection fees, which can be either a flexible monthly network usage fee or a reduced upfront payment of 20% of standard connection fees.

The scheme also includes a security deposit waiver for all customers under this plan, no surcharge over the rates, and no additional meter rental charges. Beyond the industrial sector, technology sector customers such as Disaster Recovery Data Centres (DRD’s) are also included. These centres provide critical backup facilities used to reinstate technology infrastructure if an organisation’s primary data centre becomes inoperative.

Partnerships Driving Economic Advancement

Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, commented: "We are proud to partner with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and EtihadWE in this initiative that provides a robust catalyst for the national economy by reducing operational costs significantly."

Building on a prior initiative launched by EtihadWE in 2018, this new scheme aims to offer more competitive electricity tariffs for industrial customers. The revised tariffs are expected to enhance investment attractiveness and support national industries by reducing operational costs.

Commitment to Customer Needs

Engineer Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, CEO of EtihadWE, remarked: "Today’s announcement illustrates EtihadWE’s commitment to shaping a future where the energy sector not only supports but actively drives industrial growth. This partnership between government bodies will deliver a deeper understanding of customer needs and ensure we stay attuned to evolving market demands."

By forging strong partnerships with government bodies and tailoring services to meet national economic requirements, EtihadWE strengthens its position as a cornerstone of economic advancement in the Northern Emirates. This initiative aims to create a more thriving and prosperous future for the region.

With inputs from WAM