Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has reported a significant expansion in the reach of its OWNEK initiative, with the platform facilitating 2,381 preliminary technical discussions before project application submissions in 2025, alongside 36,795 online technical discussions during the submission and approval phase.
More than 13,100 accredited consultants and contractors have benefited from its awareness sessions and instructional videos, underscoring the platform’s growing role in smoothing the path for construction professionals across the emirate.
OWNEK, the Arabic word for “Your Help,” was designed with a straightforward premise. Too many project applications fail on the first submission, not because the work is substandard, but because applicants misunderstand DEWA’s documentation requirements.
The platform addresses this directly, offering step-by-step guidance in Arabic and English on how to apply for electricity connections, fill out application forms correctly, prepare the right documents in the required formats, and meet all necessary protocols before a single form is officially filed.
The practical result is that contractors and consultants increasingly secure approval for electricity connection applications, including the preliminary no-objection certificate (PNOC), on the first attempt, saving time and cutting the cost of delays.
Feedback from industry professionals has been positive. Mohammed Naseeh at Mazari Contracting LLC said the platform clearly lays out the steps required for PNOC applications and highlights key technical requirements and compliance standards, helping consultants and contractors prepare accurate submissions and avoid rejections.
Usman Jelani at Fixtech Technical Services LLC described it as reflecting a highly professional approach that supports first-submission approvals and DEWA’s commitment to customer convenience and continuous innovation.
MuthuKumar Elangovan at Al Manama Contracting LLC noted that the videos simplify the PNOC submission process by clearly outlining required technical inputs, including load details, plot information, service routing and compliance with DEWA standards.
Ahmed Nael at MEPCO Electro Mechanical Works LLC added that the tutorials offer comprehensive step-by-step guidance covering all required inputs for low-voltage design, including layout requirements, design documentation and submission guidelines.
The tutorial videos also demonstrate what DEWA’s inspection engineers look for during both high-voltage substation and low-voltage inspections, giving contractors a direct view into the evaluation process.
OWNEK sits within DEWA’s broader effort to support Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33, which targets doubling the size of the emirate’s economy over the next decade and cementing its place among the world’s top three cities. For an authority managing infrastructure connections across a rapidly growing metropolis, reducing submission errors and accelerating approvals is not merely an administrative convenience. It is a foundational requirement for keeping pace with Dubai’s growth.
Image Credits: DEWA