Electricity and Water Tariffs Increased in Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (Adwea), through its two subsidiaries the Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) and Al Ain Distribution Company (AADC), has announced revised water and electricity tariffs effective from 1 January 2017.
The first bills issued to customers in 2017 will show consumption for billable days in December at 2016 rates, with 2017 consumption billed at the amended rates.
The authority said that the amended tariff reflects the actual cost of supplying water and electricity to all categories of customers in the emirate, in line with the policy of natural resources conservation in place.
“Sustainability and encouraging people to reconsider their consumption behaviour of water and electricity are part and parcel of the fundamental principles of the emirate’s growth for the benefit of the future generations,” Adwea stated.
ADDC and AADC earlier launched the Demand Side Management (DSM) programme, ‘Tarsheed’ (Conservation and Efficient Use of Water and Electricity), to help their customers use water and electricity resources efficiently.
The bills issued to customers in the residential category include detailed information about ideal consumption, as shown in the Green Band, and inefficient consumption shown in the Red Band on all bills.
What people will pay now
UAE nationals will now pay 6.7 fils for each kWh in the lower green band, rising to 7.5 fils per kWh in the red (above ideal average) band. Expats will pay 26.8 fils per kWh in the green band and 30.5 fils per kWh in the red.
In 2016, the rate for Emiratis living in flats was 5 fils for each kWh in green, and 5.5 in red, with expats paying 21 fils for each kWh in the green, and 31.8 in the red.
For water, UAE nationals will now pay Dh2.09 per cubic meter in the green band, and Dh2.60 in the red, compared to Dh1.70 and Dh1.89 in 2016, respectively. Expats will pay Dh7.84 in green and Dh10.41 in the red, compared to Dh5.95 and Dh10.55 in 2016. Premises without water meters will incur a fixed charge of Dh150 for each month.
Commercial and industrial customers will pay Dh7.84 per cubic meter of water, while government and ADNOC will pay Dh10.41. Agricultural customers will pay Dh3.13 per cubic meter, while supply via tanker filling stations will be charged at Dh4 for each cubic metre.
The tariff for commercial entities will be 20 fils per kWh and 4.5 fils per kWh for agricultural facilities. Light industrial customers will pay 28.6 fils per kWh, with Large Industrials (above 1MW connected load) paying 36.6 fils per kWh during the summer peak hours and 27 fills per kWh at other times. Government entities will pay 29.4 fils for each kWh and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and its subsidiaries will pay 28.1 fils for each kWh.
Electricity Tariffs in Abu Dhabi
| Resident Nationality | 2016 Tariff (per kWh) | 2017 Tariff (per kWh) |
| Emirati | Green band – 5 filsRed band – 5.5 fils | Green band – 6.7 filsRed band – 7.5 fils |
| Expat | Green band – 21 filsRed band – 31.8 fils | Green band – 26.8 filsRed band – 30.5 fils |
Electricity Tariffs for Other Entities in 2017 (per kWh)
- Commercial sector – 20 fils
- Agriculture – 4.5 fils
- Light Industrial sector – 28.6 fils
- Large Industrial sector – 27 fils; 36.6 fils during peak summer hours
- Government entities – 29.4 fils
- ADNOC and Subsidiaries – 28.1 fils
Water Tariffs in Abu Dhabi
| Resident Nationality | 2016 Tariff (per kWh) | 2017 Tariff (per kWh) |
| Emirati | Green band – AED 1.70Red band – AED 1.89 | Green band – AED 2.09Red band – AED 2.60 |
| Expat | Green band – AED 5.95Red band – AED 10.55 | Green band – AED 7.83Red band – AED 10.41 |
Water Tariffs for Other Entities in 2017 (per cubic metre of water)
- Commercial and Industrial sector – AED 7.84
- Government and ADNOC – AED 10.41
- Agriculture – AED 3.13
- Supple via Tanker Filling Stations – AED 4
