VIDEO: Sheikh Mohammed brings Space-D project into being to train Emiratis

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said the vision of the UAE’s leadership and the committed efforts of its citizens have enabled the country to achieve ambitious goals, create new opportunities, and overcome diverse challenges.

Stressing that using advanced technologies and adopting innovative solutions to develop sustainable projects are vital to accomplishing the country’s strategic objectives, His Highness said: “We are working steadily to establish global leadership in every sector. Development projects will not stop in our country. We continue to execute innovative initiatives that promote the happiness and wellbeing of the people. Investing in and nurturing our human capital continues to be one of our biggest priorities so that our people can innovate and accomplish great things.”

“The real value of our projects lies in their ability to achieve our strategic objectives, maximise the use of available resources and adopt the latest innovations. Furthermore, the success of these projects is determined by their positive impact and the enhanced quality of life they help achieve,” His Highness added.

Sheikh Mohammed’s comments came during his visit to the Innovation Tent at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (DEWA’s) head office, accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; and Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation.

During the visit, His Highness launched DEWA’s space programme, Space-D, an initiative that aims to build DEWA’s capabilities and train Emirati professionals to use space technologies to enhance its electricity and water networks. The programme will take advantage of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and blockchain to exchange information with the help of satellite communications and earth observation technologies. The project features the launch of a main satellite equipped with the latest imaging and satellite communication technologies, which will take place in conjunction with Expo 2020 Dubai to be held from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022.

The project supports the National Space Strategy 2030, which aims to realise the leadership’s vision by using space sciences, technologies, applications and services to enhance development.

His Highness was briefed by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, about the various phases of DEWA’s space programme, which seeks to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness and promote preventive maintenance of electricity and water networks including planning, production, transmission and distribution.

The programme will also contribute to enhancing flexibility and agility in monitoring and managing electricity and water networks, as well as the accurate and rapid assessment of the impact of weather and climate change on energy supplies and energy infrastructure. It will also provide a backup support system for the network through satellite communications.

“We are guided by the ambitious vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who said: “The UAE’s ambitious goals in the space sector are aimed at exploring, planning and shaping the future. Our youth, engineers and pioneers are opening new horizons for science, technology and innovation in this vital sector.”

“DEWA’s space programme will contribute to enhancing the UAE’s global competitiveness and strategic partnerships in the national space sector as well as paving the way for a new phase of Emirati capabilities in space exploration, technology and related industries that will be used to strengthen electricity and water networks in Dubai,” Al Tayer added.

“DEWA’s Space Programme will provide world-class services in cooperation with leading global satellite technology companies. We are committed to ensuring 100% availability of DEWA’s services and maintaining the highest levels of availability, reliability, and efficiency with the help of our state-of-the-art infrastructure and advanced technologies.”