Dewa continues to invest in the emirate’s power infrastructure to meet future demand. AFP
Dewa continues to invest in the emirate’s power infrastructure to meet future demand. AFP
Dewa continues to invest in the emirate’s power infrastructure to meet future demand. AFP
Dewa continues to invest in the emirate’s power infrastructure to meet future demand. AFP

Dewa opened 16 new substations worth $790m in 2021


Deepthi Nair
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Dubai Electricity and Water Authority opened 16 new substations in 2021 as the state-owned company continues to invest in the emirate’s power infrastructure to meet future demand.

These include 14 132kV stations with a conversion capacity of 2,100 megavolt amperes and two 400kV stations with a conversion capacity of 4,000 megavolt amperes in Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and Al Quoz 2, the utility said on Sunday.

The total cost of these stations was about Dh2.9 billion ($790 million), Dewa said.

Commissioning 16 substations in 2021 is part of Dewa’s efforts to increase the capacity, efficiency and readiness of electricity transmission networks in Dubai
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer,
managing director and chief executive, Dewa

“We provide electricity and water services according to the highest standards of availability, reliability and efficiency … to provide a state-of-the-art integrated infrastructure in Dubai to meet the growing demand for electricity and water services as well as keep up with the sustainable development needs of Dubai,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive of Dewa.

“Commissioning 16 substations in 2021 is part of Dewa’s efforts to increase the capacity, efficiency and readiness of electricity transmission networks in Dubai. This will meet the future needs of customers, developers and the business sector.”

Dewa plans to list on the Dubai Financial Market, becoming one of 10 state-backed companies to be floated as part of plans to boost activity on the local bourse.

Dubai plans to derive nearly three quarters of its energy needs from clean sources by 2050. The emirate is also increasing the use of sustainable transport as part of its 2030 green mobility initiative.

The utility is developing the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which will have a capacity of 5,000 megawatt upon completion in 2030.

Dewa installed 222 kilometres of 400kV overhead transmission lines and 97km of 132kV ground cables to connect the substations to the main transmission network, the company said.

These stations supply Satwa, Palm Deira, Jebel Ali Industrial 1, Al Barsha First, Mirdif and Business Bay Crossing, among others, it said.

The total value of Dewa’s investments in existing and completed electricity transmission projects in 2021 reached Dh9.5bn, Mr Al Tayer said.

This included Dh2bn for 400 kV transmission projects and Dh7.5bn for 132 kV projects.

Completing these substations required more than 25 million safe working hours, Hussain Lootah, executive vice president of transmission power at Dewa, said.

Dewa currently has 321 substations of 132kV capacity, with 33 under construction, he said.

Biography

Favourite book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Holiday choice: Anything Disney-related

Proudest achievement: Receiving a presidential award for foreign services.

Family: Wife and three children.

Like motto: You always get what you ask for, the universe listens.

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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Key features of new policy

Pupils to learn coding and other vocational skills from Grade 6

Exams to test critical thinking and application of knowledge

A new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance, Assessment, Review and Analysis for Holistic Development) will form the standard for schools

Schools to implement online system to encouraging transparency and accountability

Company profile

Name: Thndr

Started: October 2020

Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: FinTech

Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000

Funding stage: series A; $20 million

Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC,  Rabacap and MSA Capital

Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

What is dialysis?

Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.

It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.

There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.

In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.

In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.

It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.

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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

Updated: January 23, 2022, 9:21 AM