DEWA
DEWA Approval Services in Dubai
Almost every electrical job in Dubai that touches the DEWA network needs an approval first: a new connection, a change of load, a meter relocation or a fit-out that adds circuits. DEWA accepts these applications only from registered consultants and contractors, and each one moves through several stages before power is released.
As a DEWA approved contractor in Dubai, UAE Approval Hub prepares the technical package, submits it, answers DEWA comments and coordinates the site inspection, so your project team deals with one point of contact instead of chasing each stage separately.
Who this is for
- Building owners and developers needing a new electricity connection or building NOC
- Tenants and fit-out contractors adding or changing electrical load
- Facility managers relocating meters, panels or LV rooms
- Consultants who want a contractor to handle submission and site inspection
What we handle
- Reviewing your existing drawings, load and site conditions before anything is submitted
- Preparing load schedules, maximum demand calculations and single line diagrams
- Submitting through the DEWA portal, or through the Dubai Building Permit System where the project is licensed by Dubai Municipality
- Responding to DEWA design comments and resubmitting where required
- Arranging the LV inspection and clearing any snag list
- Coordinating the meter installation date and supply release
Types of DEWA approvals we handle
- Building and infrastructure NOC. DEWA reviews the drawings for an electricity permit and issues the Building NOC together with the LV design approval. Works in or affecting the Right of Way need an infrastructure NOC, applied for through RTA's eNOC system; see our RTA eNOC guide and RTA approval and NOC service.
- New connection and meter. New buildings, villas and warehouses need a DEWA electricity connection, and new or separately metered units need a meter application by a DEWA-enrolled contractor. See how to get a new or separate DEWA meter and our meter and fit-out approval service.
- Additional load / power upgrade. When you need more power than your current supply allows, a revised load schedule and single line diagram are submitted, with upgrades to the main distribution board, cable or meter where needed. See our additional load and power upgrade service and the DEWA load increase guide.
- LV design approval. DEWA reviews the load schedules, single line diagram and layouts and issues the low-voltage design approval, or returns comments to be corrected. We prepare these electrical drawings and load schedules in DEWA's format.
- Inspection and meter energisation. When the wiring and panels are complete, we request the LV inspection and clear any snags. DEWA then installs or updates the meter and releases the supply.
- Sub-metering. We handle sub-metering for electricity and water, for example in residential buildings and office towers, as part of our MEP and electrical contracting work.
- EV charger supply. An EV charger connected to the DEWA network must meet DEWA's requirements, and a DEWA application is needed if the charger needs more power than your current supply provides. See our EV charger approval and installation service and the guide to EV chargers in rented homes.
How the process works
- Site and document reviewWe check what you already have, confirm which DEWA service applies and list anything missing.
- Technical packageLoad schedules, single line diagram, layouts and LV room details are prepared to DEWA's format.
- Submission and design approvalThe application is submitted and tracked. Design comments are answered until the LV design is approved.
- Connection invoiceDEWA issues the connection cost invoice, which the owner pays through DEWA's payment channels.
- Inspection and supply releaseOnce wiring is complete we book the LV inspection, clear any snags and confirm the meter installation date.
Documents checklist
Have these ready, or send what you have and we will tell you what is missing.
- Trade licence or Emirates ID of the owner
- Affection plan (for free zone projects) and setting-out plan
- Load schedules for MDB and SMDBs, with maximum demand
- Single line diagram showing LV distribution and tariff metering
- Site layout and ground floor plan showing substation, LV room, meters and MDB
- Owner-signed DEWA terms and conditions for supply
- Landlord or developer NOC where the premises is leased or in a managed building
- Site photographs for the LV inspection
DEWA approval timelines
DEWA publishes service targets in working days for individual stages such as the building NOC, LV design approval and inspection. The overall timeline depends mainly on how complete the documents are, whether a substation is involved and when the site is ready for inspection. We give you a realistic estimate after reviewing your project rather than a fixed promise.
DEWA's published service times, counted from a complete submission, are:
- Building NOC: 2 working days
- LV design approval: 1 working day for loads up to 150 kW, 2 working days for 151–400 kW and 3 working days for 401 kW and above
- Connection cost invoice: 1 working day for Al Namoos (1–150 kW), 3 working days for other projects
- HV substation location and size approval, if needed: 3 working days
- LV inspection and HV substation inspection: 1 working day from request
- Infrastructure NOC: free, 3 working days for informational services, trial pits, house connection and DBPS NOCs, 5 working days for a general NOC and 7 working days for network and road projects
- New commercial and industrial connections up to 150 kW through Al Namoos: 5 days, in two steps
These times do not include preparing drawings, answering comments or finishing site works. From our own projects, a DEWA additional load or power upgrade typically takes 2 to 4 weeks from start to certificate. See what DEWA approval involves and Dubai approvals in numbers for the full tables and sources.
Common questions
Can I apply for a DEWA approval myself?
Connection and load applications are submitted by DEWA-registered consultants and contractors appointed by the owner. Owners usually only sign the supply terms and pay the connection invoice.
Is there a fee for the DEWA application?
DEWA does not charge for the application itself, but it issues a connection cost invoice based on the load and works involved. Our own service fee is quoted separately after we review the scope.
What happens if DEWA rejects the submission?
Most rejections relate to missing documents or design comments. We correct the drawings or provide the missing items and resubmit.
Who can apply for DEWA approval?
DEWA accepts electricity permit and connection applications from enrolled consultants and contractors, not from owners directly. The owner appoints the consultant or contractor, signs DEWA's supply terms and pays the connection invoice. For projects licensed by Dubai Municipality, the request is submitted through the Dubai Building Permit System (DBPS).
Do I need a DEWA approved contractor?
Yes. Electrical work in Dubai that needs DEWA approval has to be submitted by a DEWA approved contractor or consultant, who prepares the drawings and obtains the approval. UAE Approval Hub is a DEWA approved electrical contractor in Dubai and manages the full process for you.
How long does DEWA approval take?
DEWA's published targets are short: for example 2 working days for the Building NOC, 1 to 3 working days for LV design approval depending on the load and 1 working day for the LV inspection from request. The full process usually takes longer because drawings must be prepared, comments answered and the site finished before inspection.
Guide: what DEWA approval involves
Read our step-by-step guide to DEWA approval: when you need it, the documents DEWA asks for and DEWA's published processing times.
Read the DEWA approval guideRelated services
Tell us about your project
Send the details and we will reply with the approvals you need and a quotation. For a faster answer, call or WhatsApp us.