How to Read Your DEWA Bill for GHG Reporting

Your DEWA Bill Is a GHG Reporting Goldmine

For most Dubai businesses, the single largest source of Scope 2 emissions is electricity consumption — and that data is on your DEWA bill. Understanding how to read it is the first step toward accurate GHG reporting.

What to Look For on Your Bill

• Account number — your unique DEWA premise number, needed for multi-site tracking
• Billing period — ensure your 12 months align with your reporting year
• Electricity consumption in kWh — this is your activity data for Scope 2. Use kWh, not AED
• Water consumption — measured in imperial gallons, typically a minor component

UAE Grid Emission Factors

The commonly used UAE grid emission factor is approximately 0.4 kg CO2e per kWh. This accounts for the UAE's electricity generation mix (predominantly natural gas with growing solar and nuclear). The factor varies slightly by emirate:

• Dubai (DEWA) — gradually reducing due to solar investments
• Abu Dhabi (ADDC/TRANSCO) — lower due to Barakah nuclear plant
• Northern Emirates (SEWA/FEWA) — may differ based on local generation

Step-by-Step Calculation

Step 1: Collect 12 months of DEWA bills. Extract kWh from each.

Step 2: Sum annual consumption. Example: 57,000 kWh total (notice summer months are 30-40% higher due to AC).

Step 3: Apply the emission factor: 57,000 kWh × 0.4 kg CO2e/kWh = 22,800 kg CO2e

Step 4: Convert to tonnes: 22,800 / 1,000 = 22.8 tCO2e

A simpler example: 50,000 kWh × 0.4 = 20 tCO2e — a typical medium office in Dubai.

Common Data Quality Issues in UAE Utility Data

Utility data errors are among the most common causes of Scope 2 reporting inconsistencies. Before calculating, review each of these data quality checkpoints:

• Billing period alignment: DEWA bills may not align with calendar months. Match each bill's start and end dates to your reporting year — partial months require pro-rating
• Premise number tracking: Each physical location has a unique DEWA premise number. Companies with multiple offices, warehouses, or retail units must collect bills for every registered premise
• Multi-site reconciliation: When consolidating bills from multiple sites, verify that premise numbers do not overlap and that all known operational locations are accounted for
• kWh vs AED: Only kWh figures are valid activity data — billing amounts in AED fluctuate with tariff changes and include non-energy components (infrastructure charges, municipality levies)
• District cooling separation: Chilled water from Empower, Tabreed, or other district cooling providers does not appear on your DEWA bill. Request consumption records from your cooling provider separately — it is a distinct Scope 2 data stream
• Tenant allocation in shared buildings: If your company occupies part of a multi-tenant building, determine whether your DEWA account covers only your premises or includes common areas. Sub-metering records or landlord statements may be needed to isolate your consumption
• Evidence retention: Keep original bills, download PDFs from the DEWA app, and retain any supporting correspondence. Evidence files should be reviewable by an internal checker or external advisor — not just stored in a spreadsheet

How SmartFenek Supports Utility Data Preparation

SmartFenek supports extraction and structuring of utility consumption data, helping teams prepare consistent Scope 2 inputs for reporting review. Start preparing your emissions data today.