Dubai: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority has launched DEWA International, a wholly owned independent subsidiary that will develop conventional and clean energy projects worldwide, marking a new phase in Dubai’s push to export its power and water infrastructure model to global markets.The announcement was made by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, in the presence of Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, at Al Shera’a, DEWA’s new headquarters.The move comes as global demand for energy and water infrastructure is expected to exceed $20 trillion by 2035, with governments and investors seeking large-scale projects that can support energy security, water resilience and the shift to cleaner power sources.Dubai takes its utility model overseasDEWA International will focus on power and water projects across global markets, using DEWA’s experience in project development, financing, planning, operations and maintenance. The company will work with governments, developers, investors and financial institutions on joint projects covering both conventional and renewable energy technologies.Sheikh Ahmed said the launch marks a strategic step towards extending Dubai’s infrastructure model to international markets and strengthening the emirate’s position as a source of expertise in energy, water, sustainability and digital transformation.DEWA said the new subsidiary will allow the utility to build a global portfolio while opening new long-term growth opportunities outside Dubai.Dh32.8 billion revenue base supports expansionAl Tayer said DEWA’s financial strength and operating model give it the capacity to expand internationally. In 2025, DEWA recorded revenue of Dh32.8 billion, while net profit after tax reached Dh9.06 billion.“Now, we rank first globally in 13 key utility performance indicators and two regional benchmarks across generation, transmission, distribution and customer service. Our financial strength provides real strategic freedom: sustained revenue growth, strong margins and significant investing capacity,” said Al Tayer.DEWA International will build on the authority’s experience across generation, transmission, distribution, customer services, photovoltaic solar, concentrated solar power, hydropower and data centres. DEWA has also adopted artificial intelligence and Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies across its value chain.The authority has used the Independent Water and Power Producer model to attract international investors, structure bankable projects and deliver competitive tariffs. Its Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is one of its key international reference projects and is positioned by DEWA as a benchmark for utility-scale renewable deployment.Project pipeline already being builtAl Tayer said the new company has already started identifying projects, building its pipeline and establishing partnership networks that will shape its global presence.Al Tayer said DEWA International would bring the authority’s full set of capabilities to international markets, including project structuring, governance, risk allocation and execution.“We invite partners not only to be part of the journey, but to co-develop and co-invest in projects globally,” he said.Nivetha Dayanand is Assistant Business Editor at Gulf News, where she spends her days unpacking money, markets, aviation, and the big shifts shaping life in the Gulf. Before returning to Gulf News, she launched Finance Middle East, complete with a podcast and video series.