Dubai: Since January 2024, DEWA has issued 51 D33 Industry Friendly Power Certificates to 24 companies, enabling up to 100% on-site solar power usage. This marks a critical step in Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050, boosting industrial solar adoption and reducing grid dependence through financial incentives and technical support.
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has made significant strides in promoting clean energy adoption within the emirate’s industrial sector by issuing 51 ‘D33 Industry Friendly Power Certificates’ to 24 companies since January 2024. This marks a key step in allowing qualified entities—including industrial manufacturers, data centres, and agri-tech firms—to install photovoltaic (PV) solar systems for internal consumption, potentially covering up to 100% of their energy needs on-site. This initiative forms part of Dubai’s broader vision to position itself as a leading hub for clean energy innovation, aligning closely with the city’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050.
The D33 Industry Friendly Power Policy empowers eligible companies to deploy solar PV systems up to their total registered load, enabling self-sufficient energy generation and reducing dependence on the grid. As part of the policy, DEWA offers comprehensive technical support covering system design reviews, grid integration, and real-time smart monitoring, thereby ensuring all installations comply with international safety and operational standards. Furthermore, DEWA compensates companies for surplus energy fed back into the grid at a fixed rate of 10.5 fils per kilowatt-hour (kWh). This policy also incorporates valuable financial incentives, such as a 25% discount on new connection charges, priority access to International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs), and an interest-free payment plan for connection fees spread over two years.
To qualify for participation in the D33 programme, companies must secure a D33 Eligibility Certificate jointly issued by DEWA, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and the Department of Finance. This ensures that only entities meeting specific criteria—such as those planning to derive 100% of their energy either from DEWA’s grid or solar generation—can benefit from the policy. The arrangement supports Dubai’s strategic objective of doubling its gross domestic product by embedding sustainability deeply into industrial growth and development, reinforcing the emirate’s status as an attractive destination for sustainable manufacturing and clean energy investment.
Beyond fostering cleaner energy practices, the policy is designed to deliver economic benefits by helping companies reduce operational power costs and enhance their environmental credentials. The initiative extends and complements existing programs such as Shams Dubai, further facilitating captive solar PV deployment across industrial sectors. The availability of i-RECs as part of the D33 scheme has been highlighted as a significant incentive, enabling companies to bolster their sustainability profiles by demonstrating verified renewable energy consumption.
Industry experts have pointed out that the D33 initiative not only supports Dubai’s climate commitments but also maximises the return on investment for participating companies. With no cap on solar system size up to a company’s maximum demand load, financial benefits from reduced energy bills and feed-in tariffs make the programme particularly appealing for heavy electricity users. This has contributed to the growing uptake of the policy, signalling promising momentum for wider industrial adoption of solar energy solutions in the emirate.
Overall, the D33 Industry Friendly Power Policy illustrates Dubai’s integrated approach to achieving long-term carbon neutrality goals while driving economic growth through innovation and sustainability. As uptake increases, it is poised to play a pivotal role in transforming the energy landscape of Dubai’s industrial sectors, accelerating the shift to a greener, more resilient economy.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://solarquarter.com/2025/06/19/dewa-issues-51-solar-friendly-power-certificates-to-boost-industrial-clean-energy-adoption/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://dewa.gov.ae/en/consumer/solar-community/d33-industry-friendly-power-policy – The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has introduced the D33 Industry Friendly Power Policy, effective from January 2024, to support the manufacturing, data centre, and agri-tech sectors in adopting clean energy solutions. This initiative allows eligible companies to install photovoltaic (PV) solar systems up to their total connected load, enabling them to meet their own energy demands and reduce reliance on the grid. The policy also offers benefits such as a 25% reduction in new connection charges and priority access to International Renewable Energy Certificates (i-RECs).
- https://dewa.gov.ae/en/consumer/solar-community/d33-solar-pv-initiative – Under the D33 Industry Friendly Power Policy, DEWA has launched the D33 Solar PV Initiative, allowing eligible companies to deploy captive solar PV generation capacity up to their total required load. This initiative is an extension of the existing Shams Dubai programme, providing additional support for companies to generate their own clean energy. The programme includes resources such as regulatory and contractual frameworks to assist companies in developing on-site solar PV projects.
- https://dewa.gov.ae/en/consumer/solar-community/international-renewable-certificates – DEWA offers a procedure for the preferential allocation of International Renewable Energy Certificates (i-RECs) to eligible companies under the D33 Industry Friendly Power Policy. Twice a year, DEWA issues formal notifications regarding the sale of i-RECs, allowing eligible companies to submit offers for purchasing these certificates. This process supports companies in demonstrating their renewable energy consumption and achieving their sustainability targets.
- https://dewa.gov.ae/en/consumer/solar-community/d33-certificate-eligibility – To benefit from the D33 Industry Friendly Power Policy, companies must obtain the D33 Eligibility Certificate, issued jointly by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the Department of Finance, and DEWA. This certificate is granted to industrial customers, agri-tech enterprises, and data centres that currently obtain or plan to obtain 100% of their total consumption from DEWA’s grid and new solar energy systems designed for internal use.
- https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/media-publications/latest-news/2023/11/dubai-announces-ambitious-clean-energy – Dubai has announced a major new initiative charting an industry-friendly energy policy for the manufacturing sector that will serve to support and accelerate the emirate’s sustainability ambitions. The initiative also fits in with the emirate’s wider plans to develop a green economy in keeping with the Dubai Economic Agenda 2033 – D33. The initiative will enable manufacturers, data centres, and agri-tech players to install captive solar generation up to their total connected load, empowering them to meet their own demand while slashing the power costs they would normally incur and achieving a cleaner energy mix.
- https://www.enova-me.com/media/blog/unlocking-dubais-d33-power-policy-maximizing-roi-your-industrial-operations – Enova discusses how Dubai’s D33 Industry Friendly Power Policy is reshaping energy management for industrial operations. The policy offers benefits such as a 25% reduction in connection charges, no cap on captive solar generation up to maximum demand load, a guaranteed feed-in tariff of 10.5 fils/kWh for excess energy, and priority allocation of international renewable energy certificates (i-RECs). These advantages aim to enhance the return on investment for companies in the manufacturing, data centre, and agri-tech sectors.
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:
8
Notes:
The narrative reports that DEWA has issued 51 ‘D33 Industry Friendly Power Certificates’ to 24 companies since January 2024, with the latest issuance on 19 June 2025. This aligns with DEWA’s D33 Industry Friendly Power Policy, which commenced on 1 January 2024. ([dewa.gov.ae](https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/consumer/solar-community/d33-industry-friendly-power-policy?utm_source=openai)) The initiative was announced in November 2023, with implementation starting in January 2024. ([dewa.gov.ae](https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/media-publications/latest-news/2023/11/dubai-announces-ambitious-clean-energy?utm_source=openai)) The report appears to be fresh, with no evidence of recycled content. However, the source, SolarQuarter, is a niche publication focusing on solar energy, which may limit its reach and impact. The report includes updated data on the number of certificates issued and the participating companies, indicating a higher freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative does not appear to be based on a press release, as it provides specific details not found in the original DEWA announcement.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The report includes a direct quote from HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA: ‘We work in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to position Dubai among the world’s top three economic cities and to lead a green economy grounded in innovation and sustainability.’ This quote is consistent with statements made by Al Tayer in previous DEWA announcements. ([dewa.gov.ae](https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/media-publications/latest-news/2023/11/dubai-announces-ambitious-clean-energy?utm_source=openai)) No variations in wording were found, suggesting the quote is reused. However, the inclusion of this quote adds credibility to the report.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from SolarQuarter, a niche publication focusing on solar energy. While it provides specific details not found in the original DEWA announcement, its limited reach and impact may affect the reliability of the information. The report does not appear to be based on a press release, as it includes updated data and specific details not found in the original DEWA announcement.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and align with DEWA’s D33 Industry Friendly Power Policy, which commenced on 1 January 2024. ([dewa.gov.ae](https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/consumer/solar-community/d33-industry-friendly-power-policy?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data on the number of certificates issued and the participating companies, indicating a higher freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The language and tone are consistent with official DEWA communications.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative provides updated information on DEWA’s D33 Industry Friendly Power Policy, including the number of certificates issued and participating companies. While the source, SolarQuarter, is a niche publication with limited reach, the information aligns with DEWA’s official communications and is plausible. The inclusion of a direct quote from HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer adds credibility. However, the limited reach of the source warrants a medium confidence rating.
