DEWA International, the overseas arm of Dubai’s Electricity and Water Authority, has signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s Shanghai Electric to explore energy and water investments in global markets. The deal, announced on November 1, 2026, covers solar, wind, desalination and green hydrogen projects, as Dubai pushes to expand its utilities business abroad.
The memorandum sets out a framework for identifying, evaluating, developing and investing in projects, including participation in international tenders. It does not name any specific overseas projects, investment amounts or timelines. That makes the agreement an early step rather than a finished investment plan.
The potential scope is wide. It covers solar and wind energy, battery storage, desalination, green hydrogen and conventional power generation. It also extends to electricity transmission and distribution, which are core parts of any utility’s network.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive of DEWA and chairman of DEWA International, said the company is “committed to expanding our presence in global markets.” He added that the partnership is meant to draw on Dubai’s expertise in the utilities sector and the global capabilities of its partners.
The agreement was signed by Waleed bin Salman, vice chairman of DEWA International, and Shen Bing, president of Shanghai Electric Power Generation Group. Shanghai Electric is a major Chinese power equipment and engineering company with experience in developing and supplying technology for large-scale energy projects. Its role brings supply and engineering capacity to the framework.
DEWA established its international subsidiary in June 2026 to pursue overseas energy and water projects. The company aims to work with governments, developers and financial institutions to identify investment opportunities outside the UAE. The new arm gives the Shanghai Electric agreement a dedicated vehicle for those efforts.
At the June launch, Al Tayer said global demand for energy and water infrastructure was expected to exceed $20 trillion by 2035. That figure shows the scale of the market DEWA is targeting. Overseas tenders and government partnerships are likely to be among the main routes to that business.
The two companies have worked together before, including on the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, a Dh15.78 billion project. DEWA also operates the solar park, one of the world’s largest solar developments. The utility has invested in green hydrogen as well, including a pilot facility developed with Siemens Energy at the solar park.
The agreement also covers potential cooperation in green ammonia, concentrated solar power and equipment supply for the oil and gas sector. Those areas take the partnership beyond power and water into industrial energy. DEWA is also continuing to expand its renewable capacity, with plans for a seventh phase of the solar park that includes large-scale battery storage.
The partnership remains exploratory, and no overseas project, investment commitment or development timeline has been announced. Until those details emerge, the deal is best read as a statement of intent. Investors and regional observers will want to see whether it leads to bids or contracts.
The next signal will be the first tender or named project under the framework. Watch for DEWA International’s bids, partner announcements and financing terms that show whether the memorandum turns into construction.
