DEWA
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
DEWA: The Dubai government utility providing electricity, water, and chilled-water services to all Dubai properties.
What is DEWA?
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is the government utility providing electricity, water, and (via subsidiaries) chilled-water cooling to all Dubai properties. Every tenant or owner must open a DEWA account in their name before utilities can be activated. New account requirements: passport, Emirates ID (residents), Ejari certificate (for tenants) or title deed (for owners), security deposit (typically AED 2,000 for apartments, AED 4,000 for villas), AED 130 connection fee. DEWA bills are issued monthly; consumption-based for both electricity and water (chilled-water from third-party providers like Empower or Tabreed is separate). Monthly bills for a typical 1BR Marina apartment run AED 600–900 (long-term tenant); 2BR family villa AED 1,500–2,500. Bills are paid via DEWA app, online banking, or DEWA service centres. Unpaid bills accumulate and can result in service cut-off after 60 days.
Example
A new tenant takes possession of a Marina 1BR after Ejari registration. They visit a DEWA service centre with passport, Emirates ID, and Ejari certificate, pay AED 2,000 security deposit + AED 130 connection fee, and DEWA activates within 24 hours.
FAQ — DEWA
How much is the DEWA security deposit?+
AED 2,000 for apartments, AED 4,000 for villas. Refundable on account closure if all bills are paid.
Is chilled water cooling included in DEWA?+
Usually no — chilled-water is provided by separate companies (Empower, Tabreed, EcoSquare) and billed separately, often via the building's management. Some older Dubai buildings have central AC included in DEWA water/electricity bills; newer buildings are universally separate.
Related terms
Last refreshed: 2026-05-26