Beyond Shams Dubai: How DEWA's D33 Policy Boosts Solar Energy for Dubai's Industries
Beyond Shams Dubai: Is Your Facility Eligible for D33 Certification, and What Exactly is the D33 Policy?
Dubai, UAE – September 15, 2025
Dubai's commitment to a sustainable future is powerfully illustrated by its ambitious solar energy initiatives. For years, the Shams Dubai program has been the cornerstone of this effort, enabling homeowners and businesses to generate their own solar power. Now, to accelerate its Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and net-zero 2050 goals, Dubai has introduced a groundbreaking new program: the D33 Industry Friendly Power Policy.
This new policy is a game-changer for the manufacturing, data center, and agri-tech sectors. In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between Shams Dubai and D33, with a special emphasis on the groundbreaking solar advantages that make D33 a potent driver of industrial growth.
Shams Dubai vs. D33: DEWA’s Two Programs to Encourage Solar Adoption
While both initiatives promote privately owned grid-connected solar PV systems, they are designed for different audiences and offer distinct advantages.
Shams Dubai is a net-metering program primarily for residential, commercial, and smaller industrial consumers. It allows you to offset your electricity consumption with solar generation, with any excess energy credited to your account for future use (i.e Net Metering). Its capacity is capped at 1 MW per site, and installations are restricted to rooftops and existing structures.
D33 Industrial Power Policy is a strategic initiative designed specifically for manufacturers, data centres, and agri-tech companies. It goes far beyond net-metering to provide a comprehensive package of benefits aimed at reducing the cost of doing business, attracting investment, and helping large energy users meet sustainability targets. A key requirement is obtaining an eligibility certificate from Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Department of Finance (DOF).
Benefits of D33 compared to Shams Dubai: Installing Maximum Demand with Feed-in Tariff
The most significant advantage for eligible companies is the transformative approach to on-site solar generation. Here’s how D33’s solar initiative outshines the standard offerings:
1. Significantly Higher Capacity Limits
The solar capacity limit is dramatically increased. Companies can install a captive solar system up to their site's Maximum Demand, which is often substantially higher than the TCL-based calculation. This allows factories and data centres to generate a much larger portion, potentially even surpassing 100% of energy needs on-site.
2. Permission for Ground-Mounted Solar
For the first time, companies are explicitly permitted to install ground-mounted solar panels within their plot boundaries. This unlocks vast areas of unused land in industrial zones for solar generation, making large-scale projects feasible.
3. A Favourable Feed-in Tariff instead of Net Metering
Operates on a Feed-in Tariff model for exported energy. During the high-production season (March to November), any surplus solar energy you export to the grid is purchased by DEWA at a rate of 10.5 fils AED/kWh (+VAT). This provides a direct revenue stream.
Important Note: Export is not permitted from December to February, and DEWA reserves the right to curtail export at any time for grid stability, without compensation.
4. Advanced Monitoring and Control
D33 installations are subject to specific monitoring and control requirements that allow DEWA to manage the grid's stability. This ensures the secure integration of these large-scale solar systems into Dubai's power network.
In essence, D33 transforms an industrial site from a mere energy consumer into a potential renewable energy power plant for its own use, with the ability to earn revenue from its surplus.
Other Benefits of the D33 Policy
5. Reduced Connection Charges & Interest-Free Credit
Eligible companies applying for a new electricity connection receive a flat 25% discount on standard DEWA connection charges. Furthermore, they can benefit from an interest-free credit facility to pay these charges over 2 years or until the supply is energized, whichever comes first. This significantly reduces the upfront capital required to set up a new facility.
6. Priority Allocation of International Renewable Energy Certificates (i-RECs)
i-RECs are tradable certificates that prove electricity has been generated from a renewable source. D33 companies get priority access to purchase these certificates from DEWA. This allows companies to officially document and report their use of clean energy, which is crucial for meeting corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals and appealing to environmentally conscious investors and customers.
Which Program is Right for You?
Above: Solar PV System at Printpac Middle East FZ-LLC, Dubai Production City
The choice is clear:
For businesses, Shams Dubai remains the perfect and highly successful program for generating solar power and reducing utility bills.
For large manufacturers, data centres, and agri-tech companies, the D33 Industry Friendly Power Policy is a strategic enabler. Its enhanced solar capacity, ground-mount permission, and Feed-in-Tariff mechanism make it an unparalleled opportunity to achieve energy security, reduce operational costs, and solidify sustainability credentials.
At Solaroofing.ae, our team of DEWA-certified experts is ready to guide your business through the D33 eligibility process and design the optimal large-scale solar solution to maximize your benefits under this revolutionary policy.
Ready to power your industry with the sun? Contact us today for a consultation.
Sources:
DEWA D33 Industry Friendly Power Policy
DEWA D33 Solar Connection Conditions
DEWA DRRG Connection Conditions
