ADDC in Abu Dhabi

Connecting to the water and electricity supply in the UAE is an essential activity, regardless of whether you buy or rent your property. In the emirate of Dubai this is handled by the state service DEWA, and in Abu Dhabi the connection to electricity and water is carried out by The Abu Dhabi Distribution Company, ADDC, which will be explained below. This article contains detailed information about ADDC services, the rules for activating an online ADDC account and paying for utility supplies, the documents that you will need, and key ADDC initiatives.

The Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) is a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA). ADDC in Abu Dhabi is a partner of DEWA in Dubai and the main function of the organisation is to ensure an uninterrupted water and electricity supply to residents in the UAE capital. ADDC also provides assistance to residents and commercial organizations in the emirate when creating ADDC accounts, as well as when paying utility bills for water and electricity consumption.

ADDC plans, controls, maintains and owns network distribution assets in Abu Dhabi. The company not only interacts directly with its customers but also uses its technical experience and modern solutions to serve them. The organization provides a regular water and electricity supply to more than 600,000 service points. Municipal services are supplied through an intelligent and sustainable distribution network.

ADDC began its operations in 1998 and since then, ADDC’s ambition has been to provide world-class utility services to all its customers residing in the emirate. As part of this commitment, an essential milestone has been identified to accelerate the digital transformation and increase its supply of electronic services. Innovation and continuous development are top priorities for the management of the organisation. An extensive stable network provides electricity to offices, hotels, homes, entertainment centers and so on.

The Department of Energy (DOE) supervises the quality of services provided by ADDC. Due to the DOE’s robust management, all standards for consistent water and electricity supply are maintained, and all criteria for environmental protection, safety and health are met.

ADDC’s strategic goals include creating a reasonable and streamlined distribution network that provides and delivers services efficiently based on the needs of its users. To achieve these strategic goals, the following values were identified:

• Safety as ADDC’s top priority.
• Sustainability because the organization cares about the environment and people.
• Collaboration and Innovation, as ADDC is always looking for creative ways to maximize results along the way.
• Excellence. The company demonstrates a commitment to exceptional productivity.

The list of services offered by ADDC includes the following:

• Extension and connection of electricity services. This includes load demand notification, approval of electric drawings, permanent cable termination, inspection of internal electric wiring, activation of electric services, additional electricity meters, electricity load upgrade, connection of a temporary electricity line and temporary connections for to place a condolence tent for funeral ceremonies
• Transfer and disconnection of electricity. This service includes the relocation of the electric meter and electrical connections, and the opportunity to relocate external electrical connections, as well as the removal of electrical connections and a permanent or temporary electric meter.
• Account management and bills. This category of services comprises opening an account for new customers, registration of critical medical conditions, change of property ownership, installment or postponement of troubled entitlements, change of customer category, clearance due to incidents, certificate to whom it may concern, temporary disconnection of electricity service and so on.
• Customer care. This includes registering water and electricity emergencies, information requests, consultation on services, and filing complaints or suggestions to improve the system.
• Connection of water services. This category includes notification of water connection needs, approval of interior plumbing drawings, permanent plumbing connections, interior plumbing inspection, plumbing activation, additional water meter installation, water meter upgrades, and temporary plumbing connections.
• Certificates. These are the electrical services clearance certificates and the water services clearance certificates.
• Shifting and removal of water services. This includes shifting the water meter, shifting of external water pipeline, disconnection of the water supply and removal of permanent/temporary water meter.
• Registration of water tankers. This category of service includes registration, renewal and cancellation of drinking water tankers.

In addition, the DOE announced a new governance framework for charging electric vehicles (EVs) in Abu Dhabi. An EV Charging Tariff for the emirate came into effect on August 26, 2021. Currently, all EV charger owners living in Abu Dhabi are required to pay a flat monthly fee of AED 92 (USD 25) until a meter is installed. Once the meter for the charger is installed, the monthly charge will be based on actual electricity consumption and the flat rate will be 30 fils (USD 0.082) per kilowatt-hour.

All EV charger owners must register their chargers to avoid non-compliance. You can register your EV charger on the official ADDC website.

Note: As an incentive after registration, the distribution company offers to pay the cost of installing the meter. This offer is valid if you apply before December 31, 2021.

The consumer must apply to ADDC for energy and water services in and around Abu Dhabi. Tenants registered with Tawtheeq are automatically registered with ADDC and receive their bills automatically. If the property owner or tenant lives outside of the Tawtheeq coverage area, a prior application must be made to relocate and reconnect the utilities. Regardless of the type of property (residential or commercial), you can register to create and activate an ADDC account online on the ADDC website or at one of the organization’s branches.

Tawtheeq is a special system through which the government can regulate real estate leases in Abu Dhabi and ensure transparency between landlords and tenants. This system was approved in the emirate in 2011. A Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi must be registered each time a new lease is signed. This registration process falls largely on either the property owners or a real estate agent in Abu Dhabi, which is quite different from the Ejari system in Dubai, where the tenant is largely responsible for the registration.

On registration, you will need to provide the required list of documents, or in the case of online registration, color scans of them, as well as make an advance payment (deposit) of AED 1,000 (USD 272). This amount will be included in your ADDC account and when you move, you can either get the deposit back or transfer it to your new residence address in Abu Dhabi.

Once your ADDC account has been successfully established, you will receive a text message on your phone or an email notification. If this does not happen, after activating your account, it is worthwhile contacting the ADDC Help Desk at 800 2332 or sending an email to ADDC.

Next, to activate your online account you need to enter your ADDC account number or your Emirate ID number on the official ADDC website. After that you will receive a message with a pin code to access your utility management system.

On registration, you will need to provide the required list of documents, or in the case of online registration, color scans of them, as well as make an advance payment (deposit) of AED 1,000 (USD 272). This amount will be included in your ADDC account and when you move, you can either get the deposit back or transfer it to your new residence address in Abu Dhabi.

Once your ADDC account has been successfully established, you will receive a text message on your phone or an email notification. If this does not happen, after activating your account, it is worthwhile contacting the ADDC Help Desk at 800 2332 or sending an email to ADDC.

Next, to activate your online account you need to enter your ADDC account number or your Emirate ID number on the official ADDC website. After that you will receive a message with a pin code to access your utility management system.

List of documents to register with ADDC

To register and create an ADDC account, residential tenants must provide the following documents:

• Passport with a valid visa
• Emirates ID
• Tenancy contract
• Letter of closure of previous real estate account

The package of documents for property owners:

• Passport
• Emirates ID
• Notarized and valid copy of the title deed or plot plan issued by the Municipality of Abu Dhabi
• Letter of closure of previous real estate account

Note: For commercial premises, in addition to all of the above documents, you will also need to provide the premises ID and the address of the property or the leased premises.

Previously the Account Closing Letter was known as a Clearance Certificate. To obtain a copy of this document, one should contact the last occupant of the real estate or the landlord.

Rate pricing

As for rates, they depend on many factors, including the type of property and your background (local/expat). Rates are divided into 2 categories: Green Lane (at a lower rate) and Red Lane (at a higher rate). If the utility usage limit is exceeded, the Red Lane rate is automatically included.

The cost of utilities for apartments:

• For expats, the water tariff is AED 7.84 (USD 2.13)/cubic meter up to 0.7 cubic meter day or AED 10.41 (USD 2.83)/cubic meter over 0.7 cubic meter/day. Electricity: Fils 26.8 (USD 0.074)/kWh up to 20 kWh/day or Fils 30.5 (USD 0.084)/kWh over 20 KWh/day.
• For UAE citizens: the water tariff is AED 2.09 (USD 0.57)/1 cubic meter up to 0.7 cubic meter/day or AED 2.60 (USD 0.71)/KWh over 30 KWh/day. Electricity: Fils 6.7 (USD 0.19)/kWh up to 30 KWh/day or Fils 7.5 (USD 0.19) KWh/day over 400KWh/day.

Cost of utilities for villas:

• For expats: the prices of utilities are as Water: AED 7.84 (USD 2.13)/cubic meter up to 5 cubic meter/day or AED 10.41 (USD 2.83)/cubic meter over 5 cubic meter/day. Electricity: Fils 26.8 (USD 0.074)/kWh up to 200 KWh/day or Fils 30.5 (USD 0.084)/ kWh over 200 KWh/daily.
• For UAE citizens: the prices of utilities – water AED 2.09 (USD 0.084)/cubic meter up to 7 cubic meters/day or AED 2.60 (USD 0.71)/cubic meter over 7 cubic meters/daily. Electricity: Fils 6.7 (USD 0.19)/kWh up to 400 kWh/day or Fils 7.5 (USD 0.19) /kWh over 400 KWh/day.

The easiest way to inform ADDC about your moving out is to apply online. In most cases, the entire process takes 2-4 days. To close an account for real estate online, the customer has to inform ADDC about the date of the account closing and the preferred way to refund the deposit. Then the customer may pay the final bill online when it is ready and download the Account Closing Letter immediately. The online application can be done on ADDC website.

The customer also can call the company on 800 2332 or visit one of the ADDC branches in order to start the process of closing an ADDC account for a property. It is necessary to have an Emirates ID card and a recent bill with the customer’s ADDC account number when calling the organisation or visiting a selected branch. Please, use the ADDC Branch Finder in order to find the nearest available one, because not all ADDC branches offer this service. The customer has to inform the organisation about the moving out date, decide the way to refund the deposit and pay the final bill when it will be ready in order to get an Account Closing Letter.

When closing the ADDC account for property, customers can transfer the money to another ADDC property account, get a refund at his/her bank (IBAN number will be required) or donate it to Emirates Red Crescent.

Customers can pay ADDC bill in the following ways:

• Pay in one of the ADDC customer centres in Abu Dhabi.
• Pay online on the ADDC website. Consumers can activate their online accounts and pay the bill with their card.
• Pay ADDC bill via cheque or pay order. It is obligatory to write a phone number on the cheque and attach it to the bottom of the bill. The posting address must be presented on the top of the bill.
• Set up Autopay. The customer needs to schedule a payment to be processed each month.
• Pay in a mobile app. One can download ADDC mobile app for Android: Get the app for android and for iPhone
• Pay by phone: 800 2332.
• Set up a direct debit. Customers can register for direct debit services and the amount is debited for each bill.
• Pay at MBME smart kiosks across the UAE.
• Pay at ATM machines. Customers must have an account with any of the ADDC partner banks in order to be able to pay their bill.
• Pay by One Prepay at groceries and supermarkets.
• Pay through an exchange service in branches such as Al Fardan Exchange, Lulu International Exchange, Lari Exchange, Al Ansari Exchange and Index Exchange.
• Pay via TAMM portal (Abu Dhabi Government Services).

The ADDC organisation has several initiatives such as Tarsheed, Direct Debit Improvements and Istimrar. All these programmes are aimed at improving the quality of services and caring for the environment.

Tarsheed

Tarsheed is an integrated program aimed at saving water and electricity consumption in Abu Dhabi. The main goal of the program is to reduce the level of water and electricity consumption per capita by 20% in the emirate by 2030. The Tarsheed program was launched in 2017 by ADDC and AADC. In addition, the ADDC launched the “Residential Water Leak Detection and Alert” program within the Tarsheed framework, which will help reduce water wastage in future.

Direct Debit Improvements

ADDC launched this initiative in order to give customers extra days to pay their bills. Consumers will have a five days’ grace period, and after the expiry of that period, the money will be deducted from their accounts via direct debit. The service will be available from March 2021 onwards.

Istimrar

Istimrar is the automatic payment of water and electricity bills service. This is done with the use of direct debit through the customer’s bank account in cooperation with the UAE Central Bank. The Istimrar initiative not only increases the effectiveness of payment, but also helps to reduce the cost of collecting payments.

In case of complaints and questions regarding your water and energy supply, billing, payment or any other issues, consumers can call ADDC contact number: 800-2332.

The ADDC organization offers a comprehensive Induction Program for new employees, career opportunities for technical and non-technical staff and an internship scheme for students. All job vacancies are posted online.

How to get a copy of your ADDC electricity bill?

To do this, the customer should log into his/her online ADDC account and download the electricity bill.

How to transfer an ADDC account?

To transfer an ADDC account, you will need documents such as a letter of appointment from the contractor, a certificate of competency from the consumer’s contractor, and a commitment from the contractor to transfer their electrical service. (The last document must be sent to ADDC for further approval, only then will your application be considered).

The ptransfer procedure of an ADDC account includes the following:

• approval of the quotation issued by ADDC
• request for transfer of services
• approval of the proposition of the municipality
• transfer of electrical service
• closure of application

There is no fee to transfer your electrical service.

Is the UAE working on renewable energy?

The UAE launched various initiatives for sustainable development and the conservation of the environment. The country uses clean energy and always tries to seek eco-friendly solutions to meet the increasing demand for water and electricity in the state.

According to the objectives of the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, the use of clean energy in the country should constitute 50% of the total energy use. Types of renewable energy in the UAE include solar, hydro and wind energy.

1. All EV charger owners in Abu Dhabi must register their chargers to avoid non-compliance.
2. Tenants in the emirate who are registered with the Tawtheeq system are automatically registered with the ADDC and will automatically receive their accounts.
3. The easiest and fastest way to inform ADDC about moving out is to apply online.
4. ADDC had launched the special initiative in order to give customers extra five days for bill payment.
5. There is no fee to transfer your electrical service in Abu Dhabi.