Wondering What is DEWA? This is our Comprehensive Guide

The process of setting up electricity and water in Dubai is made simple by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). Here, you can find all the information you need to get started with your connection or cancel it, including a breakdown of the DEWA bill. Whether you're a newcomer to the emirate or just moving homes, DEWA is here to make the process as easy as possible.

Introduction

For those new to the emirate, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, or DEWA, was founded on January 1, 1992, by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. DEWA Dubai has since become one of the leading utility providers worldwide, with over 880,000 customers and a customer satisfaction rate of 95%. In 2018 and 2019, the company was ranked the highest in the World Bank's Business report.

DEWA Services

DEWA provides a range of services for both individual customers and larger corporate entities.

For individual customers, DEWA Dubai offers the following services:

• Activation of Electricity/Water (Move In) 
• Deactivation of Electricity/Water (Move Out) 
• Transfer of Electricity/Water (Move To)
•   Bill Payment and Enquiries

Moreover, DEWA also provides services to promote the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power.

Other Initiatives

SHAMS Dubai

DEWA has launched this initiative to promote the utilization of solar energy in Dubai and to facilitate the shift towards relying on clean, renewable energy sources. This is in accordance with the Executive Council Registration 46 of 2014, and adheres to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai one of the most modern cities in the world.

Through this program, property owners can hook up their Photovoltaic (PV) systems to the DEWA grid, resulting in reduced electricity bills and the exporting of any excess energy back to the grid.

Installing solar energy entails a drawn-out process, which can be briefly summarized as follows:

Stage 1: Obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC)

Stage 2: Procuring Design Approval

Stage 3: Inspection and Connection

Stage 4: Generation

You will need to hire contractors who can apply directly for an NOC through the power company's website with their contractor account credentials. The contractor will need to provide a copy of their trade license, and there will be no associated fees for the application.

Once the process is complete, you will need to pay a one-time connection fee of AED 1,500 in order to start using solar energy from DEWA. Additionally, there may be other costs and complexities involved.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

DEWA Dubai is committed to its green initiatives, and to encourage the use of sustainable and eco-friendly transportation, it has installed 200 EV Green Charger stations across the emirate to reduce carbon emissions. You can easily get, replace, or cancel an EV Green Charger Card from the website on the ‘EV Charger Card Services’ page.

Non-commercial electric vehicle owners can also avail of free charging services from any EV station till January 31, 2021, provided they register their vehicle beforehand.

Customer Services

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority's (DEWA) "Customer Happiness Centres" are accessible throughout the emirate, providing customers with knowledgeable personnel to assist with their inquiries and needs.

Academy

DEWA has established the Vocational Academy to train Emirati students and nationalize entry-level DEWA jobs across all its departments. This academy is in partnership with the UK’s Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC). Graduates of the program are provided with academic and practical training in production, transmission, and energy distribution and receive their diplomas from BTEC. To apply for a scholarship or an internship, visit the 'Student' section on DEWA's website.

How to get a DEWA connection?

Establishing a connection is a simple process. All you need to do is complete the application form, provide the necessary documents, and cover the security deposit plus DEWA connection fees.

Documents required:

Documents for Move-In services include:

• Title deeds 

• Copies of passports of both tenant and landlord 
• Tenancy contract

Besides these documents, an authorization letter may also be needed in the event that the applicant is not in the country. To obtain the 'Activation of Electricity and Water Service for Residential Expatriate Customers' application form, simply visit the official website of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA, dewa.gov.ae) and go to the 'Forms and Documents' page.

Now, it is essential to clarify a few key terms:

Premise Number

You can typically locate the premise number at the entrance of the property you wish to rent.

Ejari

Once you have picked your rental property in Dubai, you will need to register your tenancy contract on the land department's online system, which is known as Ejari. The registration process is straightforward - all you need is the terms of the agreement and the name of the rental company. After entering these details, the Ejari system will generate a unique barcode for you that will remain valid for the duration of the contract. This is different from the premise number.

Fees Associated

Regardless of the property type, you will need to pay a non-refundable DEWA activation fee of AED 110 (for small meters). The security deposit for an apartment is AED 2,000, and for villas, it is AED 4,000. Additionally, there is a Knowledge and Innovation fee to be paid.

How to pay DEWA bills

You can pay your DEWA setup charges and regular payments with your credit card or through your online banking service. DEWA's app, which is available in multiple languages, is optimized for iOS, Blackberry OS, Windows, and Android and provides an easy-to-use payment option.

You can also make utility bill payments if you have an account in any of the following banks:

With your credit card, you can pay for DEWA bills as well as other government services through the MPay website or app.

Additionally, you can also pay cash at DEWA centers, Etisalat machines, ZOOM supermarkets, ENOC, and EPPCO petrol stations.

Upon submission of your documents, application form, and payment of the deposit and charges, your connection will be activated within a day.

Decoding/Understanding the DEWA Bill

Your DEWA bill includes charges for water, electricity, sewerage, and housing fees. The property owner is responsible for the housing fee, but tenants are liable for 5%. The company has set standard rates per unit for these services:

• Electricity – AED 23 fils 
• Water – AED 3 fils 
• Sewerage – AED 0.5 fils

Electricity charges are calculated based on the use of up to 2000 kWh per month. If your consumption is higher than 6000KWh, you will be charged AED 38 fils per unit.

When you check your DEWA bill, you may find that prices are higher in summer due to the increased use of air conditioning and other cooling appliances. Similarly, homes with swimming pools and gardens may find that their water consumption is higher than usual.

Cancellation of DEWA account

To cancel your DEWA account, you can either log on to the website and visit the 'Deactivation of Electricity and Water' page under 'Quick Services', or visit your nearest Customer Happiness Center.

Once you select your contract account, indicate if you need a clearance certificate, select the Move-Out date, contact number, and the method to receive your deposit, and click 'Submit', you will receive a notification with a Move-Out number.

You will also receive a final DEWA bill to your registered Email ID. There is a fee of AED 50 plus VAT for the clearance certificate, but you will be eligible for a refund of your security deposit. Remember to bring your original receipt.

Conclusion

You can reach out to DEWA for any inquiries or assistance through their website, dewa.gov.ae. Alternatively, you can contact their emergency call center in case of technical incidents at 991, or their customer care center for all billing inquiries at +971-4-601-9999.

Additionally, you can fax them at +971-4-324-8111 or email them at customercare@dewa.gov.ae. Alternatively, you can also chat with 'Rammas', the AI-based chatbot on their website available in both English and Arabic. With DEWA, you are provided with the basic right to obtain a connection.

This concludes our DEWA guide. We trust you have found the data useful. Securing a DEWA connection is your inherent right. Similarly, there are various other things you need to be aware of concerning RERA. For more helpful insights on living in the UAE, watch this space!