His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), reaffirmed Dubai’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the future of autonomous transport during his keynote address at the 4th Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport.
Speaking on the opening day of the congress, held under the theme “Smart Mobility and Clean Energy: Envisioning Dubai’s Sustainable Future” and organised by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Al Tayer said the event reflects the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai.
He emphasised that Dubai has set an ambitious mission to make 25% of all journeys in the emirate smart and autonomous by 2030. “This is not merely a target, but a noble mission that embodies Dubai’s determination to lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution and build a smart, sustainable, and integrated city,” Al Tayer noted.
Al Tayer underlined that mobility development extends beyond self-driving vehicles, encompassing clean energy, digital innovation, and artificial intelligence across urban systems. “By mid-2025, DEWA had provided more than 42,000 megawatt-hours of electricity for charging electric vehicles. The number of EVs in Dubai now exceeds 41,000, with registrations under the Green Charger initiative growing from just 14 in 2015 to more than 19,000 by July 2025,” he added.
Highlighting DEWA’s pivotal role in advancing Dubai’s sustainable future, Al Tayer pointed to flagship projects such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park—the world’s largest single-site solar park—which supports both the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. These initiatives aim to meet 100% of Dubai’s energy demand from clean sources by 2050.
He further noted that the Shams Dubai initiative has enabled over 8,600 buildings to generate electricity through photovoltaic solar systems, contributing more than 740 megawatts to DEWA’s grid. Alongside this, DEWA is investing nearly AED 7 billion under its Smart Grids Strategy to harness artificial intelligence and automation to improve the efficiency and reliability of electricity and water services.
