Dubai, UAE, 8 April 2015

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) expressed his gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, after DEWA won four awards at the 18th Dubai Government Excellence Programme Awards (DGEP). DEWA won the Distinguished Technical Project for phase 1 of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, and a special honour for DEWA for organising Earth Hour to spread awareness about the importance of the sensible use of electricity. Hana Al Balooshi was awarded the Distinguished Female Employee, and Othman Shah Zarin Shah, won the Unknown Soldier Award.

DGEP supports the development of government services in Dubai and highlights successful practices and performance. It motivates organisations to apply total quality standards to ensure customer satisfaction and enhance the quality and excellence of the services provided. The award strengthens positive competition to enhance competitiveness at local, regional and global levels.

"The wise and insightful vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai is the roadmap that guides us to achieve excellence and reach leading positions. As His Highness has observed that, "In our race to achieve number one position, we look at excellence as a challenge rather than a mere accomplishment, for the latter is what we've attained for the future of our people and country; whereas excellence is an on-going process." Since the inception of the Dubai Government Excellence Programme has played a key role in developing Dubai Government services by significantly improving the performance of organisations, and promoting positive competition among them. It has an effective role in motivating and building the basis for excellence by using scientific methodologies and clear frameworks. These have contributed to developing government services to unprecedented levels of excellence. Creativity and innovation have become the most important characteristics of government service centres in Dubai. The goal of government organisations in Dubai is to achieve the happiness and satisfaction of their customers, which has contributed to the competitiveness of Dubai and its position globally," said Al Tayer.

"DEWA is committed to applying the highest international standards in all administrative and operational processes. We adopt the best international practices that support its objectives to reach the highest levels of service excellence and make our customers happier and more satisfied. This supports our vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility. We promise His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to move forward in achieving overall excellence in performance and services, to meet the expectations and aspirations of our leadership to uphold excellence in all fields, both regionally and internationally, to achieve the UAE Vision 2021 to make the UAE one of the best countries in the world. We will also contribute to achieving the Dubai Plan 2021 for Dubai to be proactive and creative in meeting the needs of individuals and society as a whole and a preferred place to live, work, and visit," added Al Tayer.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which DEWA is implementing is one of the largest renewable energy projects in the region. The 13MW first phase became operational in 2013. The consortium led by Saudi Arabia's ACWA and Spain's TSK was selected to implement the 200MW second phase of the Solar Park, which will be operational by 2017. The Solar Park is one of the largest strategic renewable energy projects in the world that is based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. It will generate 3,000MW when completed by 2030.

Dubai is the first Arab city to observe Earth Hour in 2008. Since then, DEWA has, in collaboration with its partners and by promoting greater social awareness, achieved large savings and contributed to supporting Dubai's objectives to rationalise natural resources and achieve environmental sustainability. Over 7 years, Earth Hour has achieved a reduction of 1,291MWh in electricity use and a reduction of 775 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

-Ends-

For more information, please contact:
Ribal Dayekh or Noora Khoory    
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority    
+9714 515 1784  
Ribal.dayekh@dewa.gov.ae 
Noora.khoory@dewa.gov.ae 
        
Mutasem Shadid or Mazen Alebrahem
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
+9714 450 7675/450 7613
Mutasem.shadid@bm.com
Mazen.Alebrahem@bm.com

© Press Release 2015