(Credit - Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA))
DEWA Substations 2025 Push Dubai’s Grid Total to 391
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority commissioned eight 132kV substations and two 400kV substations across Dubai in 2025, pushing the emirate’s total substation count to 391 by mid-2025. The expansion, backed by electricity transmission network investments surpassing AED 7.6 billion, strengthens grid reliability at a time when summer peak loads from air-conditioning place maximum pressure on the system.
DEWA Substations 2025: AED 7.6 Billion Grid Commitment
DEWA’s commissioning of ten new high-voltage substations in a single year reflects the scale of infrastructure planning required to keep pace with Dubai’s growth. The eight 132kV substations support regional load centres, feeding power into lower-voltage distribution networks that serve homes, businesses, and transport systems. The two 400kV substations operate at the backbone transmission layer, moving large volumes of electricity efficiently over longer distances with reduced energy losses. Together, the additions increase the number of alternative routing paths across the grid, reducing the risk that a single fault or scheduled maintenance outage disrupts supply to residents or commercial operators.
The two voltage tiers serve distinct but complementary roles. The 400kV layer handles bulk power transfer between major generation sources and key load zones, while the 132kV tier distributes that power to industrial zones, new residential communities, and fast-growing commercial districts. Expanding both simultaneously allows DEWA to balance high-volume transmission with localised capacity, avoiding bottlenecks in corridors where demand is rising fastest. This dual-tier approach also shortens connection timelines for new real estate and infrastructure projects, a direct benefit for developers and large-load customers planning capacity requirements.
What the Grid Expansion Means for Dubai Businesses and Residents
For Dubai’s energy-intensive sectors , data centres, logistics hubs, manufacturing facilities, and large-scale retail , a larger, more redundant substation fleet translates into higher uptime and faster fault restoration. DEWA, which operates under the oversight of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, has consistently linked transmission investment to the emirate’s population growth trajectory and real estate pipeline. Reaching 391 substations by mid-2025 signals a grid that is not only larger but more meshed, with digital monitoring and protection systems paired with each new commissioning to improve fault detection during extreme heat periods when demand peaks.
| Substation Type | Units Commissioned in 2025 | Primary Function |
|---|---|---|
| 132kV Substations | 8 | Regional load centres; feeds lower-voltage distribution networks |
| 400kV Substations | 2 | Backbone transmission; bulk power transfer over long distances |
| Total DEWA Substations (mid-2025) | 391 | Combined high-voltage grid serving all of Dubai |
| Transmission Network Investment | AED 7.6 billion+ | Capital expenditure across Dubai’s electricity transmission infrastructure |
- New 132kV Substations: Eight units commissioned across Dubai in 2025, strengthening regional distribution capacity
- New 400kV Substations: Two backbone-tier units added to handle bulk long-distance power transfer
- Total Substation Fleet: 391 substations operational by mid-2025
- Cumulative Investment: Electricity transmission network spending exceeded AED 7.6 billion
DEWA’s 2025 clean-energy expansion was positioned as part of a broader push that also prioritises energy storage solutions to support grid stability as renewable penetration rises.
DEWA has further clean energy and sustainability projects planned for 2026, extending its investment pipeline beyond the 2025 substation commissioning programme as it continues to position itself as a leader in sustainable infrastructure and energy storage solutions, aligning transmission expansion with the integration of more renewable generation.
Dubai Police Warning On Viral Energy Drink Trends Targeting Children
Dubai Police Warning on Energy Drinks Puts Every UAE Parent on Notice
The Dubai Police warning on energy drinks issued on 17 May 2026 was direct and urgent: viral online trends are actively pushing stimulant-heavy drinks toward children, and the health consequences of unchecked consumption are real. Authorities didn't frame this as a distant concern , they called on parents across Dubai to treat what their kids are drinking as a front-line safety issue, right now.Dubai Police Warning on Energy Drinks: What Authorities Actually Said
On 17 May 2026, Dubai Police released a public advisory warning residents about a surge in viral social media trends that are encouraging children to consume energy drinks , sometimes in challenge formats designed to maximise intake in short periods. The advisory identified excessive consumption of stimulant-based beverages as a health risk for minors and urged parents to actively monitor what their children are buying, sharing, and copying from online content.The core concern is straightforward: energy drinks are not sports drinks. Most contain high concentrations of caffeine and other stimulants that are calibrated for adult physiology. When a child or teenager consumes them , especially in quantities encouraged by viral "challenges" , the risk profile escalates sharply. Lower body weight, developing cardiovascular systems, and still-maturing nervous systems mean children absorb and react to these stimulants very differently from adults. Dubai Police's advisory treated this not as a parenting preference, but as a public safety matter.Why Viral Trends Make This Worse Than Ordinary Energy Drink Use
There's a meaningful difference between a teenager occasionally picking up an energy drink and a child deliberately overconsumming one because a video told them to. Viral "challenge" formats shift the behaviour from casual to deliberate excess , and they spread fast. In a city with some of the highest smartphone penetration rates in the world, a trend that originates anywhere can land in a Dubai school group chat within hours. Dubai Police's warning on 17 May 2026 specifically flagged this digital amplification as part of the problem, not just the drinks themselves.The broader pattern here is one UAE authorities have addressed before. When social media trends involve minors and risky consumption, the official response has consistently been to treat virality as a safety variable , not just a cultural curiosity. The message from Dubai Police was clear: the fact that something is trending does not make it safe, and parents need to be the filter that social media algorithms are not.The Real-World Health Risks Linked to Energy Drink Overconsumption in Kids
Dubai Police's advisory sits on top of a well-documented body of health concern around children and energy drinks. The risks flagged by authorities and health professionals include:- Sleep disruption: High caffeine intake interferes with sleep cycles, directly affecting school performance and mood regulation in children.
- Heart palpitations: Stimulants can trigger irregular heartbeat responses in younger, still-developing cardiovascular systems.
- Anxiety and agitation: Caffeine overload in children can produce anxiety-like symptoms, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating.
- Dehydration risk: In Dubai's heat, the diuretic effect of caffeine compounds dehydration risk , particularly during outdoor sports or physical activity.
- Impaired concentration: The short-term stimulant spike is followed by a crash that can leave children less focused, not more , undermining the very "energy" benefit being marketed.
What Dubai Parents Need to Do Right Now
Dubai Police's advisory wasn't just a warning , it was a call to action. Monitoring doesn't only mean checking what's in the fridge at home. It means understanding what children are buying on the way to school, what they're consuming during after-school sports, and what challenges are circulating in their peer group chats. In practical terms, that means:- Check group chats: Ask to see what's being shared in school WhatsApp groups , viral drink challenges spread peer-to-peer before parents ever see them.
- Talk about marketing: Help children understand that energy drink branding is designed to appeal to them specifically, and that "popular" does not mean "safe."
- Coordinate with schools: Speak to school canteen management and teachers about whether energy drinks are accessible on or near school grounds.
- Set clear household rules: A direct conversation about why these drinks are off-limits for children , not just a blanket "no" , builds the reasoning skills kids need to make safer choices independently.
- Treat online challenges as a safety topic: Frame viral trends involving consumption the same way you would any other physical risk , not as harmless fun to be dismissed.
Dubai Police urged parents and guardians to closely monitor children’s online activity and immediately report any dangerous social media “challenges” promoting excessive energy drink consumption through the force’s official reporting channels.Dubai Police’s warning remained in effect in 2026 as authorities continued to caution families against online trends that normalise risky consumption behaviours among minors.
Audemars Piguet X Swatch Dubai Launch Cancellation: The planned Audemars Piguet x Swatch...
**⚠️ CLAIM STATUS NOTICE:** The planned Audemars Piguet x Swatch ‘Royal Pop’ release at Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates was called off after large crowds prompted safety concerns, and no new launch date has been announced.
Audemars Piguet x Swatch Dubai Launch Cancelled as Crowds Overwhelm Malls
The Audemars Piguet x Swatch Dubai drop , one of the most anticipated watch
releases of 2026 , was shut down on May 16, 2026, after enormous crowds
descended on Dubai malls and authorities stepped in over serious safety and
crowd-control concerns. Shoppers who had queued for hours left empty-handed,
and no confirmed rescheduled date has been announced.
Audemars Piguet x Swatch Dubai: What Triggered the Shutdown
The collaboration between Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet and Swatch Group
had been positioned as a first-come, first-served, one-day release across
Dubai malls , a format almost guaranteed to generate outsized footfall.
Shoppers arrived hours before doors opened, and crowd density at multiple
locations escalated rapidly, blocking entrances, escalators, and emergency
access routes. Mall security teams and on-ground authorities assessed the
situation and made the call to cancel the event entirely rather than risk
injury or a stampede.
Dubai's major malls operate as high-capacity public venues under strict
safety protocols. When crowd density crosses safe thresholds , disrupting
emergency routes or threatening the safety of other visitors and tenants ,
mall operators are required to coordinate with relevant authorities to pause
or shut down events. That protocol was activated here. The launch did not
proceed at any confirmed Dubai location
Why Dubai Hype Drops Keep Ending This Way
This is not the first time a limited-edition drop in Dubai has collapsed
under its own hype. High-profile releases , from sneaker collabs to
electronics and collectibles , have repeatedly drawn crowds that mall
infrastructure simply wasn't designed to absorb under a walk-in,
first-come-first-served model. The perceived scarcity of the Audemars
Piguet x Swatch collaboration, combined with strong resale demand, pushed
shoppers to show up en masse across multiple locations simultaneously.
Without pre-registration, timed entry slots, or a digital queue system in
place, there was no mechanism to spread that footfall safely.
What This Means for Dubai Shoppers Right Now
If you were planning to pick up the Audemars Piguet x Swatch soonest, the short answer is: it's not happening yet. Authorities
shut the launch down, and neither Audemars Piguet nor Swatch has confirmed
a new date or an alternative distribution method as of the time of
publication. Based on how similar cancellations have played out in Dubai,
the most likely next steps are a shift to an online release, an
appointment-only collection system, or a staggered restock across multiple
dates , all designed to prevent a repeat of the same scenes.
- Event Status: Cancelled , May 16, 2026, across Dubai malls
- Reason: Crowd density exceeded safe thresholds; authorities intervened
- Confirmed Rescheduled Date: None announced as of publication
- Affected Locations: Multiple Dubai malls (specific venues unconfirmed)
- Expected Next Step: Online release, timed slots, or appointment-only pickup
No official statement from Audemars Piguet or Swatch confirming a revised Dubai release plan or alternative sales mechanism had been issued.
The risk now is that any rescheduled drop shifts to a digital-only or
appointment model, which disadvantages those without fast online access
or prior registration. Monitor official announcements directly from
Audemars Piguet and Swatch Group's UAE channels for the first confirmed
update on rescheduling or alternative distribution.
Dubai transport infrastructure: Al Khaleej Street Tunnel Project progress
Al Khaleej Street Tunnel Project Hits 80% as Deira Commuters Near Relief
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) confirmed, that the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel Project has reached 80% completion, bringing one of Deira's most anticipated road upgrades within striking distance of the finish line. The 1,650-metre tunnel is engineered to push up to 12,000 vehicles per hour through one of Dubai's most congested urban corridors , a figure that signals a fundamental shift in how traffic moves through this part of the city.Al Khaleej Street Tunnel Project: 1,650m Route Confirmed
The tunnel runs from the end of the Infinity Bridge ramp in Deira to the Al Khaleej Street, Al Wuheida Street intersection. It carries three lanes in each direction, creating a six-lane grade-separated facility beneath a stretch of road that has long been bottlenecked by surface-level junctions and signalised crossings. The project forms part of Phase 4 of Dubai's broader infrastructure development programme , a sequenced approach that ensures new capacity feeds cleanly into the surrounding road network rather than simply relocating congestion to the next junction.Grade separation is the core engineering principle at work here. By routing through-traffic underground, the tunnel removes the conflict points that force vehicles to slow, stop, and merge at surface intersections. Local access, deliveries, and bus movements continue at street level without being blocked by cross-city traffic passing through. The Al Khaleej Street, Al Wuheida Street intersection , currently one of the denser signal-controlled nodes in Deira , stands to see a significant reduction in peak-hour queuing once the tunnel is operational.What This Means for Deira Drivers and Businesses
For the tens of thousands of commuters and freight operators who pass through Deira daily, the RTA's milestone update points to faster and more predictable journey times on a corridor that connects dense residential neighbourhoods to major bridges and arterial roads feeding central Dubai. Logistics companies operating out of Deira's commercial districts face lower idle-time costs when stop-start congestion eases. Retailers and hospitality businesses near the waterfront gain improved access for customers arriving from across the emirate , an advantage that compounds during peak seasons and large city events.| Project Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Tunnel Length | 1,650 metres |
| Start Point | End of Infinity Bridge ramp, Deira |
| End Point | Al Khaleej Street, Al Wuheida Street intersection |
| Lane Configuration | Three lanes in each direction (six total) |
| Designed Capacity | Up to 12,000 vehicles per hour (both directions) |
| Completion Status | 80% as of May, 2026 |
| Infrastructure Phase | Phase 4 of Dubai's road development programme |
- Corridor Role: Al Khaleej Street is a key coastal artery linking Deira's residential and commercial zones to central Dubai and the northern waterfront.
- Traffic Relief: The tunnel removes surface conflict points, allowing through-traffic to bypass signalised intersections entirely.
- Network Integration: Phase 4 sequencing ensures the tunnel connects to adjacent road upgrades without creating new bottlenecks at entry and exit points.
- Urban Constraint Solution: Grade separation was chosen because street-level widening in built-up Deira is restricted by existing buildings, utilities, and pedestrian infrastructure.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority is delivering the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel as part of the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, one of the emirate’s flagship mobility programmes aimed at easing congestion and improving connectivity across Deira and Bur Dubai.With 80% of the 1,650-metre tunnel complete as of May, 2026, the remaining construction window will determine exactly when the 12,000-vehicles-per-hour capacity comes online and how quickly journey time savings materialise. The 1.65-kilometre Al Khaleej Street Tunnel remains under construction and is expected to be completed soon, positioning it as a near-term capacity boost for one of Deira’s busiest corridors.
UAE real estate market resilience amid regional conflict
UAE Property Market Logs 59 New Launches Worth Dh118.3bn
The UAE property market recorded 59 new project launches valued at Dh118.3 billion as of May 17, 2026, as developers pressed ahead despite ongoing regional conflict. Emaar Properties separately confirmed record sales exceeding Dh20 billion, signalling that buyer demand and developer confidence remain firmly intact across the sector.
UAE Property Market: Dh118.3bn in New Projects Confirmed
The 59 launches span Dubai as the primary market focus, with developers staging phased releases tied to construction-linked payment plans. This approach allows buyers to spread costs across build milestones, keeping sales velocity steady even when external sentiment is volatile. The scale of the combined launch value , Dh118.3 billion , reflects the breadth of activity, from master-community developments to boutique residential towers targeting both end-users and investors.
Emaar Properties, one of Dubai's most closely watched bellwether developers, drove a significant share of that momentum. Its sales figure of more than Dh20 billion in the same period sets a new record for the company and carries weight beyond its own balance sheet. When Emaar posts numbers at this level, competing developers, brokers, and institutional buyers treat it as a forward indicator of sustained absorption across the wider market.
What the Launch Wave Means for Buyers and Renters
For residents and investors, the volume of new supply entering the pipeline has direct consequences. The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) in Dubai requires developers to hold buyer payments in regulated escrow accounts for off-plan projects, providing a layer of protection that encourages participation even during periods of geopolitical uncertainty. A high number of simultaneous launches does expand buyer choice across locations and price points, but it also intensifies competition for prime land plots and places upward pressure on contractor and materials costs , factors that can feed into final unit pricing over time.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| New project launches | 59 |
| Combined launch value | Dh118.3 billion |
| Emaar Properties sales | More than Dh20 billion (record) |
| Primary market focus | Dubai, UAE |
| Date recorded | May, 2026 |
- Launch structure: Developers are using phased, tranche-based releases to match supply with absorption rates and protect sales momentum.
- Buyer protection: Off-plan purchases in Dubai are backed by RERA-regulated escrow accounts, reducing financial exposure during construction.
- Geopolitical buffer: The UAE's role as a stable regional hub for business, aviation, and services continues to support household formation and corporate leasing demand.
- Pricing pressure: High launch volumes can push up contractor and materials costs, which developers may pass through to unit pricing in later phases.
Residential REITs in the UAE delivered strong earnings in 2026, reinforcing investor appetite for income-generating property exposure even as regional tensions persisted.
Abu Dhabi’s office market maintained high occupancy levels in 2026, underscoring resilient corporate leasing demand alongside the UAE’s continued wave of residential launches.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi both posted strong real estate performance in 2026, highlighting that demand strength is not confined to Dubai’s off-plan market.
New ticket categories for the 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 Tickets Now Bundle Concerts and Race Access
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 tickets took a major step forward, when Yas Marina Circuit unveiled new ticket categories that fold concert access and themed experiences directly into race-week packages. For UAE residents and international visitors already planning their November calendars, the move removes the need to separately chase concert entry during one of the busiest weekends on Yas Island.
Yas Marina Circuit introduced a new three-day Abu Dhabi Hill ticket for the 2026 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with prices starting from AED 995.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 Tickets: New Bundled Categories Confirmed
Yas Marina Circuit, the home of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, launched the updated ticket structure months ahead of race week. The new categories are designed as all-in-one packages, combining grandstand race access with headline concerts, curated fan zones, and themed programming across the full race weekend. Premium tiers are also on sale for fans seeking an upgraded, exclusive experience on-site.
The bundled approach works by consolidating what were previously separate purchases , a race-day seat, a concert ticket, and access to themed areas , into a single transaction. Buyers select a tier that reflects their preferred level of access, from general race-and-concert bundles through to premium hospitality options. This structure gives attendees full visibility on what is included before they book, which directly affects total trip budgeting and on-ground planning during peak arrival and exit periods at Yas Island.
What the New Tiers Mean for Race-Week Planning
For UAE residents, the consolidated packages simplify one of the most logistically demanding weekends on the Abu Dhabi events calendar. Rather than managing multiple booking windows across different platforms, a single ticket now covers the core race-week entertainment programme. Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism, which tracks Yas Island's seasonal visitor numbers, has consistently recorded elevated hotel occupancy and premium pricing across Abu Dhabi and nearby emirates during Grand Prix week , a pattern these bundled tiers are designed to extend by encouraging longer on-island stays.
- New Ticket Structure: Race access bundled with concert entry and themed experiences in a single purchase
- Premium Options: Upgraded, all-in-one hospitality packages available alongside standard tiers
- Venue: Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
- Event: Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026
- Benefit for Visitors: Earlier purchase locks in seat selection and full clarity on included programming before race week
The new Abu Dhabi Hill ticket includes access to Yas Marina Circuit across all three days of the event weekend. The three-day Abu Dhabi Hill ticket also offers complimentary entry to nine Yas Island attractions as part of the package.
Ticketing for the 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is being marketed through multiple options designed to match different fan experiences, from entry-level access to premium packages.
