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Sector structure

Overview

Production

IWPPs

Transmission

Distribution

Supply

Single Buyer

Wastewater

Distribution

Two water and electricity distribution companies are licensed by the Bureau to operate in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi:

Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC), serving around 281,966 electricity customer accounts and 223,850 water customer accounts in Abu Dhabi and the Western Region. ADDC was granted a licence on 13 December 1998.
Al Ain Distribution Company (AADC), serving around 123,318 electricity customer accounts and 70,739 water customer accounts in Al Ain city and the surrounding area. AADC was granted a licence on 13 December 1998

Electricity distribution
The electricity network of the distribution companies is based predominantly on UK and IEC standards. Voltages of 33kV, 22kV (ADDC only), 11kV and 400V/230V are used. ADDC has around 29,000 km of network and AADC has around 35,000 km of network. The peak demand of the two companies in 2010 was approximately 3,900 MW and 1,800 MW respectively. Both companies have significant areas served by overhead lines, although major towns and cities are served by underground networks. The effects of weather (sand storms, humidity, etc.) adversely impact on the reliability of the overhead networks which are currently below international benchmarks. However, the reliability of the Abu Dhabi Island network is comparable to other capital cities in developed countries (see our Electricity Networks Annual Sector Report 2010 for further details). In addition to rapid expansion of distribution networks to cater for load growth, both companies are implementing programmes to install remote control on their 11kV networks. These are expected to deliver significant improvements in performance and reduction of power outage times.

Water distribution
The water distribution system comprises of water pipes and associated plant which are owned and operated by a distribution company and used for the distribution of potable water to customers and commercial users.

The distribution network in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi consists of over 11,760 km of pipelines, from 80 mm to 1200 mm diameter with 108 small to medium size reservoirs and 46 pump station. The pipe work is predominantly ductile iron but recently high density polyethylene has been used.

The distribution network serves the whole Emirate of Abu Dhabi connecting over 99 percent of the customers with the piped network. The average quantities distributed are approximately 579 million gallons per day (MGD) [2,634 million litresper day] with average zonal pressures meeting 1.25 bar (12.5 metres) and above for over 77 percent of the population served.

The source water is provided by seawater desalination that originates from nine plants located along the coast of the Emirate and also at Fujairah.

The rapid expansion of the economy in recent years, and the continued rise in demand for potable water established the need for major infrastructure projects. This will ensure a secure and efficient water supply system in line with planned construction programmes to meet the organic expansion of the three regional areas, and the development of mega-projects such as Saadiyat, Yas and Reem Islands.

Currently there are two companies licensed to distribute and supply water:

Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) has an average daily demand of over 423 MGD or 1,925 Ml/day, supplied through 151 interface points between its pressurised ring main system and TRANSCO's transmission mains. ADDC operates 37 pumping stations, many of which are small and serve remote areas of the Emirate, that collectively provide a pumping capacity of 58 MGD. The water distribution network consists of over 7,300 km of pipeline, including islands like Delma and Sir Bani Yas.
ADDC receives a mixture of water from all 9 desalination plants.
Al Ain Distribution Company (AADC) has an average daily supply of over 156 MGD or 710 Ml/day, provided by TRANSCO through 44 interface points. The water distribution network consists of over 4,000 km of pipeline. Water is distributed by a series of small pumping stations and reservoirs, many of which serve remote areas; the total pumping capacity of almost 65 MGD.

Supply continues to be confined by lack of transmission capacity and system constraints within Al Ain. These constraints will gradually be removed in 2012 and 2013 to facilitate full pressurisation and meeting expected demand growth. AADC receives water from three main transmission sources:

Taweelah through twin 1,200 mm diameter pipelines, with boosting provided at pumping stations at Ajban and Sweihan;
Abu Dhabi through a 1,000 mm diameter pipeline boosted at the Shobaisi and Remah pumping stations; and
Fujairah via three1,600 mm diameter pipelines.