On June 28, 2018, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) announced a partnership with Microsoft to develop quantum-based solutions for energy optimization. According to the joint announcement, DEWA became the first organization outside the United States to participate in the Microsoft Quantum program.
Under the agreement, DEWA gained access to Microsoft’s Quantum Development Kit and Azure quantum-inspired services. The partnership was part of DEWA’s Digital DEWA initiative and the broader Dubai 10X program, which mandates the Government of Dubai to adopt technologies a decade ahead of other cities. Microsoft committed to working with DEWA to identify challenges in energy production, transmission, and distribution where quantum computing could have the greatest impact.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, said the partnership would provide early access to Microsoft’s quantum computing research. Todd Holmdahl, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Quantum, noted that DEWA understood the benefits of building quantum knowledge and skills early. DEWA subsequently organized a one-week intensive quantum computing training program in October 2018, the first such program held outside the United States.