The UAE government has shaken up its state power and water utilities, and the upshot is a consolidation of authority for the dominant emirate, Abu Dhabi. One of the major developments was the 2018 formation of new authority Adpower to drive capacity additions in both Abu Dhabi and the four smallest northern emirates.
Established in November 2018 to take over assets of former utility Adwea, Adpower also took over the job of the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (Fewa) to supply the northern emirates of Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah and Umm al-Quwain. Adwea already supplied some power and water to Fewa as well as to Sharjah’s Sewa, given that investment in power infrastructure in the northern emirates has lagged demand growth. Fewa has three power plants with 700MW capacity, but these are old and inefficient and appear to be on standby in recent years. Adpower also supplies the underused GGCIA power grid (MEES, 28 June 2019) which trades electricity with fellow GCC states. (CONTINUED - 534 WORDS)
