Closer cooperation between Dubai and Korea from now on

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has signed MoUs with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and Korean Association of Machinery Industry (KOAMI), during the 16th Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2014) and Green Week. 

“In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to strengthen Dubai’s leading business position in the region, DEWA is seeking to explore strategic partnerships with government agencies and private business sectors, ” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, who is also MD & CEO of DEWA, at the signings. 

KEPCO was represented by Woohyun Hwang, Vice President of the SG & ESS Department of KEPCO, and the agreement covers the exchange of information on a wide range of topics, including smart grids, smart cities, advanced metering infrastructures, telecommunications, system integration, IT infrastructures, renewable energy, electric vehicles, micro grids, databases in the energy sector, investment, and performance benchmarking. 

DEWA is also contributing to the construction of Dubai’s smart city through new initiatives to achieve sustainable development by encouraging houses and building owners to install photovoltaic (PV) panels to produce electricity from solar energy and to adopt smart applications to speed up service delivery as well as smart and rational consumption by installing smart meters. 

DEWA also plans to set up electric vehicle charging stations and associated infrastructure, with the locations to be determined in coordination with the relevant authorities.

Said Al Tayer: "KEPCO successfully completed the Smart Grid Test Bed Project on Jeju Island, Korea last year and is preparing for a nationwide deployment of the smart grid beginning in 2015. If DEWA applies KEPCO's verified technology in developing the Dubai Smart City, DEWA will be able to save time and reduce project risks."

KOAMI was represented by Park Young-Tahk, Executive Vice-Chairman of KOAMI. The agreement commits to supporting the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, developing business relations in common areas, support and participation in exhibitions of mutual interest, as well as the exchange of knowledge and experience. The exhibitions concerned include WETEX, the Korean Machinery Fair and the International Fair for Plant Operating Systems.