Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) said it has appointed a consortium comprising Moro Hub, a subsidiary of Digital Dewa, UAE construction major Ghantoot Group, Johnson Controls, a global leader for smart healthy and sustainable buildings, and Microsoft to build its new state-of-the-art headquarters called Al Shera’a (Arabic for sail). The consortium will implement the latest digital twin technologies, the Internet of Things, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and smart building management solutions for the project.

As per the deal, Ghantoot Group will be in charge of the construction work of the building; Moro Hub will support Dewa to implement the latest in IoT, cybersecurity, digital twin technologies, AI, while the smart building management solutions will come from Johnson Controls and Microsoft.

On completion, Al Shera’a will be the tallest, largest, and smartest government Net Zero Energy Building, said Dewa.

The total energy used in the building during a year will be equal to or less than the energy produced on-site, it stated.

Through these innovative technologies, Al Shera’a is expected to utilise up to 50 per cent less water than comparable buildings, Dewa added.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dewa, said that this partnership supports its efforts to establish a global benchmark for buildings that achieve a balance between development and the environment.

This is done by monitoring the energy efficiency and space performance using central artificial intelligence, which helps with remote diagnostics, predictive maintenance, compliance monitoring, and advanced risk assessments, he noted.

According to him, Dewa has adopted the latest disruptive solutions and Fourth Industrial Revolution applications at Al Shera’a.

The headquarters building is expected to be ready by 2023. It will feature an array of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions across systems and spaces, including a digital concierge for every employee and visitor.

Comprising 15 floors, a basement, and a four-storey car park, the building will offer capabilities to accommodate an onsite presence of over 5,000 people.