The Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority was established in 1968 to distribute and generate electricity, water and gas to the residents of the emirate. SEWA's main responsibilities include planning and implementing expansions and future projects to develop electricity, water and natural gas services, the supply of electrical power, production and supply of drinking water and distribution and supply of natural gas to Sharjah residents.

SEWA is fulfilling its expansion plan to renovate or install new units to push production. Toward that end, SEWA will begin operating two new power-generating units with a combined capacity of 80 MW at the Wasit Power Station, in August 2007, bringing its total capacity to 960 MW.

SEWA established a water desalination plant at the Laya water and power station, in June 2007, of 8 million gallons of capacity. The plant will increase total production for the emirate to 110 million gallons of water per day. A new reverse-osmosis water desalination unit will also be installed in August 2007, to produce 5 million gallons of fresh water per day.

SEWA completed 80% of the natural gas pipeline project for the emirate?s residential, industrial and commercial areas, in March 2007. When completed, the pipeline will provide natural gas to homes directly, eliminating the use of LPG cylinders.