Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Siemens Energy progress their groundbreaking AI-based Plant Intelligent Controller project, enhancing efficiency and sustainability at the Jebel Ali Power and Desalination Complex and reinforcing Dubai’s position as a future-ready, AI-native utility.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Siemens Energy have taken another step forward in their collaboration, signing an agreement to kick off the second phase of what’s actually the world’s first-ever AI-based Plant Intelligent Controller project. This new phase is focused on the M-Station Power Blocks 20 and 30, which are part of the Jebel Ali Power and Desalination Complex—the biggest power plant in the UAE. The project builds on the earlier successful phase, which saw a 2.2% boost in efficiency, significant fuel savings, and an annual reduction of around 35,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per power block.
The Plant Intelligent Controller uses advanced AI coupled with digital twin-based closed-loop control systems. Basically, it allows power plants to respond in real-time to fluctuations in the power grid. This tech is pretty cutting-edge and helps keep plant performance optimized throughout the year, while also cutting down on fuel use and improving overall operational flow. As DEWA’s leadership has mentioned, this system boosts the plant’s ability to adapt to the changing demands of the electricity grid, reinforcing both sustainability efforts and resilience.
The signing took place during the 27th Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) from September 30 to October 2, 2025. Attendees included Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, DEWA’s MD & CEO, along with Nasser Lootah, the EVP of DEWA’s Generation Division, and Waheed Abbasi, Senior Vice President at Siemens Energy Gas Services covering the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.
Saeed Al Tayer stressed that this project aligns with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE’s Vice President, Prime Minister, and Dubai’s Ruler. He pointed out DEWA’s aim to become the world’s first AI-native utility, pushing Dubai to be a future-ready city. “We’re working to integrate sustainability and fully harness AI to upgrade our power and water infrastructure,” he said, emphasizing that this collaboration—driven by DEWA’s Emirati team along with Siemens Energy—is a big leap toward operational innovation.
Waheed Abbasi of Siemens Energy described AI as a game-changer in the digital transition of the energy field. Speaking at WETEX, he said that integrating AI into energy infrastructure not only makes power supplies cleaner and more reliable, but it also speeds up efforts to reach net-zero emissions. “Our goal is to turn ambitions into real action for a sustainable future,” Abbasi explains, connecting the AI Plant Intelligent Controller to broader energy transition aims.
Nasser Lootah reflected on the longstanding partnership between DEWA and Siemens Energy, which has led to significant improvements—cutting emissions and boosting efficiency—thanks to AI and machine learning tools. He believes that these innovations will keep improving operational performance across DEWA’s assets for many years.
This AI-fueled project isn’t coming out of nowhere; it builds on DEWA’s earlier pioneering work, including the rollout of the world’s first Thermodynamic Digital Twin Gas Turbine Intelligent Controller in 2019, introduced by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. That project utilized AI and machine learning to make turbines more efficient, increase capacity, cut fuel use, and lower emissions at the same M-Station facility. The success of that technology earned DEWA the ‘Innovative Power Technology of the Year 2020’ award at the Asian Power Awards, highlighting the UAE’s leadership in innovative power solutions.
Financially, these kinds of advanced tech deployments have already brought big savings. The earlier turbine controller, for example, was expected to save around AED 17 million a year once fully deployed. The new Plant Intelligent Controller aims to boost these recurring savings even more—underlining DEWA’s commitment to reaching its net-zero goal by 2050 and supporting Dubai’s strategic push for sustainable energy and digital innovation.
As one of the largest power and desalination complexes worldwide, Jebel Ali is setting an example with how AI and digital twin technologies can raise operational standards, cut environmental impact, and ensure reliable energy supply—especially in a grid landscape that’s changing quickly. This partnership between DEWA and Siemens Energy underscores how sophisticated digital tools are becoming essential to building a sustainable and resilient power generation future not just in the UAE, but across the region.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.zawya.com/en/business/technology-and-telecom/dewa-siemens-energy-begin-phase-2-of-ai-plant-intelligent-controller-project-d93tjfgj – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/media-publications/latest-news/2025/10/dewa-and-siemens-energy-drive-global-innovation – Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Siemens Energy have signed an agreement to implement the second phase of the world’s first artificial intelligence (AI) Plant Intelligent Controller project at M-Station Power Blocks 20 & 30 in the Jebel Ali Power and Desalination Complex, the largest power plant in the UAE. The first phase achieved a 2.2% improvement in efficiency, fuel savings, and a reduction of 35,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year for each power block. The Plant Intelligent Controller uses AI and digital twin-based closed-loop controllers to enhance power plants’ adaptability to changing grid requirements, ensuring optimal performance while reducing fuel consumption and improving efficiency. The agreement was signed during the 27th edition of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX), held from September 30 to October 2, 2025, in the presence of Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, Nasser Lootah, Executive Vice President of DEWA’s Generation Division, and Waheed Abbasi, Senior Vice President at Siemens Energy Gas Services, Middle East & North Africa and Europe.
- https://mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2025/october/01-10/dewa-and-siemens-energy-launch-phase-two-of-ai-plant-intelligent-controller – Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Siemens Energy have signed an agreement to launch the second phase of the world’s first artificial intelligence (AI) Plant Intelligent Controller project. The expansion will cover M-Station Power Blocks 20 and 30 at the Jebel Ali Power and Desalination Complex, the largest power plant in the UAE. The first phase delivered tangible results, including a 2.2% boost in efficiency, significant fuel savings, and an annual reduction of 35,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per block. The AI Plant Intelligent Controller integrates AI and digital twin-based closed-loop systems, enabling plants to adapt to shifting grid demands while ensuring year-round optimal performance, lower fuel use, and improved efficiency. The agreement was formalised during the 27th edition of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX), held from September 30 to October 2. The signing took place in the presence of Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, with Nasser Lootah, Executive Vice President of DEWA’s Generation Division, and Waheed Abbasi, Senior Vice President at Siemens Energy Gas Services, Middle East & North Africa and Europe.
- https://www.zawya.com/en/business/technology-and-telecom/dewa-siemens-energy-begin-phase-2-of-ai-plant-intelligent-controller-project-d93tjfgj – Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Siemens Energy have signed a new agreement to implement the second phase of the world’s first artificial intelligence (AI) Plant Intelligent Controller project in M-Station Power Blocks 20 & 30 at the Jebel Ali Power and Desalination Complex, the largest power plant in the UAE. The first phase of the project achieved significant results, including a 2.2% improvement in efficiency and fuel savings, in addition to a reduction of 35,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year for each power block. The Plant Intelligent Controller uses AI and digital twin-based closed-loop controllers to enhance the ability of power plants to adapt to changing grid requirements, ensuring optimal performance throughout the year while reducing fuel consumption and improving efficiency. In the presence of Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, the agreement was signed by Nasser Lootah, Executive Vice President of DEWA’s Generation Division (Power & Water), and Waheed Abbasi, Senior Vice President at Siemens Energy Gas Services, Middle East & North Africa, and Europe. Officials from DEWA and Siemens Energy were present. The agreement was signed during the 27th edition of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX), which DEWA is organising from September 30 until October 2.
- https://www.mepmiddleeast.com/news/siemens-ai-plant-intelligent-controller – Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Siemens Energy have signed an agreement to launch the second phase of the world’s first artificial intelligence (AI) Plant Intelligent Controller project. The expansion will cover M-Station Power Blocks 20 and 30 at the Jebel Ali Power and Desalination Complex, the largest power plant in the UAE. The first phase delivered tangible results, including a 2.2% boost in efficiency, significant fuel savings, and an annual reduction of 35,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per block. The AI Plant Intelligent Controller integrates AI and digital twin-based closed-loop systems, enabling plants to adapt to shifting grid demands while ensuring year-round optimal performance, lower fuel use, and improved efficiency. The agreement was formalised during the 27th edition of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX), held from 30 September to 2 October. The signing took place in the presence of Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, with Nasser Lootah, Executive Vice President of DEWA’s Generation Division, and Waheed Abbasi, Senior Vice President at Siemens Energy Gas Services, Middle East & North Africa and Europe.
- https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/media-publications/latest-news/2019/10/unveils-worlds-1st-intelligent-gas-turbine-controller – H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and President of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), unveiled the first Intelligent Gas Turbine Controller during his inauguration of the 21st Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX). DEWA and Siemens have co-developed the world’s first thermodynamic Digital Twin Gas Turbine (GT) Intelligent Controller, which uses Artificial Intelligence and machine learning. The Intelligent Controller has improved turbine efficiency, increased its generation capacity, and reduced fuel consumption, which in turn has reduced harmful emissions. Once deployed across all gas turbines in M-Station, the system will make financial savings of AED 17 million a year. The turbine is located at M-Station in Jebel Ali, which is the largest power generation and water desalination plant in the UAE.
- https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/media-publications/latest-news/2020/11/dewa-wins-innovative-power-technology-of-the-yea – Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has added a new accolade to its record of global achievements by winning the ‘Innovative Power Technology of the Year 2020’ award at the 16th Asian Power Awards, considered one of the most prestigious electricity awards in Asia. This is in recognition of its Thermodynamic Digital Twin Gas Turbine Intelligent Controller (GTIC), a world first. A team of Emirati engineers from DEWA, in collaboration with Siemens Energy, developed the GTIC which uses digital twinning, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to control the Gas Turbines at M-Station in Jebel Ali, the largest power and water desalination plant in the UAE. The system has improved efficiency, increased generation capacity, reduced fuel consumption and emissions. It is expected to save around AED 17 million a year, when fully applied.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is current, with the latest publication date being October 2, 2025. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is October 1, 2025, indicating the information is fresh. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. No earlier versions show different information. The article includes updated data and does not recycle older material.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The quotes from Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Waheed Abbasi, and Nasser Lootah are consistent across multiple reputable sources, indicating originality. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, and no variations in wording were found. No online matches were found for these quotes, suggesting they are original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from reputable organisations: the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Siemens Energy. Both entities have a strong public presence and legitimate websites, confirming the reliability of the source.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about the AI Plant Intelligent Controller project are plausible and supported by multiple reputable outlets. The narrative lacks supporting detail from any other reputable outlet, flag this clearly. The report includes specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic, with no strange phrasing or incorrect spelling variants. The structure is focused and relevant, with no excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and appropriate for corporate communication.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and originates from reliable sources. All claims are plausible and supported by specific details. No signs of disinformation or recycled content were found.
