Chaevi powers EV infrastructure in UAE with 1,000 rechargers

Chaevi CEO Choi Young-hoon, right, poses with Prabash Manthara, general manager of Emirates Electrical Engineering, after signing a memorandum of understanding for the supply of EV chargers to the Dubai-based firm at Chaevi’s office in Seoul’s Seocho District in this January photo. Courtesy of Chaevi

Korea’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charger developer Chaevi has sealed a new partnership with a major power infrastructure company in the United Arab Emirates to supply on-ground EV chargers, aiming to support the Middle Eastern nation’s EV infrastructure expansion.

Chaevi said Wednesday it will supply 1,000 EV charging units worth $5.5 million to Emirates Electrical Engineering over the next two years. The Korean firm views the deal as a cornerstone for expanding its business into other major economies in the region.

Dubai-based Emirates Electrical Engineering is an electrical infrastructure subsidiary of Al Rostamani Group, one of the largest private conglomerates in the UAE. According to Chaevi, the group has been frequently commissioned by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority for national infrastructure development projects.

Chaevi said Al Rostamani is the only private firm in the UAE with a charging point operator (CPO) business license. Alongside another subsidiary, United Diesel, Emirates Electrical Engineering is currently leading Al Rostamani’s EV infrastructure business, as well as solar power and energy storage systems, as new growth engines.

Under the memorandum of understanding (MOU), Chaevi will supply its full lineup of chargers, ranging from 11 kilowatts to rapid chargers with capacities of 50 kilowatts and 100 kilowatts. The chargers will be installed across Dubai’s key landmarks, including Maze Tower and Al Rostamani Twin Towers, both owned by the group. The Korean firm will also supply chargers for Emirates Electrical Engineering’s future project to install up to 500 EV chargers with capacities of 50 kilowatts and 100 kilowatts, for which the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority has requested a quotation from the UAE firm.

Chaevi said the latest MOU came as Emirates Electrical Engineering (EEE) recognized the Korean firm’s leading market share in Korea, with some 10,000 EV chargers installed nationwide. Its previous exports to the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia, six-stage quality control process, and full lineup covering both AC and DC chargers further strengthened EEE’s trust, according to the company.

Chaevi CEO Choi Young-hoon said the company plans to expand its business across the Middle East, North Africa and Europe following the deal. He added that the Middle East is increasingly replacing Chinese EV chargers with Korean equipment, driving demand for Korean manufacturers.

Chaevi cited market researcher NMSC as saying the EV charging infrastructure market in the Middle East — particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia — is projected to grow from $247 million in 2022 to $1.44 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.3 percent.

“Collaboration with EEE is an important milestone for expanding our business in the Middle East market. Starting from Dubai, we will demonstrate our technical capabilities and operational expertise across the entire Gulf Cooperation Council,” Choi said.