• 03 Nov 2025
• Business Setup

How to Get Supreme Council of Energy Approval

If your business involves fuel, power, large-scale HVAC, industrial processes or heavy energy consumption in Dubai, you might need approval from the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE). While the process may sound technical, if you follow the right steps it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This guide walks you through how to get DSCE approval in clear, friendly language, so you know what’s expected and how to navigate the system.

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Why it matters

Dubai has set ambitious goals around energy efficiency, sustainability and safe operations in sectors linked to fuel, power generation, distribution or large-scale consumption. The DSCE ensures that businesses operating in these sectors meet technical, environmental and regulatory standards. If you skip this approval or don’t fully comply you risk licence delays, fines or operational restrictions.

Step 1: Check whether your business activity requires DSCE approval

First things first: determine whether your business activity falls into a category that needs DSCE oversight. Some of the typical areas are:

• Fuel or petroleum product trading and storage
• Large-scale industrial or manufacturing operations involving significant energy use
• District cooling or major HVAC systems
• Energy services companies (ESCOs) offering optimisation, large-scale installations or building upgrades
• Renewable energy or sustainability projects that feed into the grid or involve high-capacity installations
• Any business activity whose licensing or renewal may draw DSCE review because of energy/environmental implications

If you fall into one of those categories (or you plan to expand into them), you’ll likely need DSCE approval either before your licence is issued or as an amendment/change to your existing licence.

Step 2: Prepare your documentation and business plan

Once you’ve confirmed you need DSCE approval, start gathering the necessary documents to avoid time-consuming follow-ups. Key documents include:

• The applicant’s trade licence or pre-licence name reservation, company registration details
• A clear business profile and description of the proposed activity — what you’ll do, scope of operations, capacity, energy/fuel usage where applicable
• Technical drawings, processes, safety and environmental design if relevant (for example storage of fuel, heavy HVAC installations, or industrial emissions)
• Passport copies, Emirates IDs for owners/shareholders
• Any existing approvals, NOCs or permits linked to your activity
• A signed application to the DSCE (or via the licensing authority) requesting approval of the proposed activity
• If your activity includes digital energy services, or you’re adding renewable technologies, provide supporting documentation reflecting compliance with applicable modern standards

The better you prepare in this step, the fewer delays you’re likely to face.

Step 3: Submit the application via the correct channel

The process to submit your request will typically follow one of these routes:

• During your main trade licence application: when you apply for your licence (via Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism / DED or relevant Free Zone), the licensing system will flag DSCE if required and route your request for approval.
• As a standalone DSCE approval: if you already hold a licence and your activity changes (for example you add fuel trading or energy-intensive operations), you may submit a DSCE-specific form or portal application for “activity change” or “energy sector approval”.

During submission, you will attach the documents you prepared in Step 2. Ensure you provide accurate information about your business, operations, and energy/fuel footprint (where applicable) to avoid rejections or delays.

Step 4: Review and follow-up with DSCE

After application submission, the DSCE will review your file. Key aspects they will examine include:

• Whether the business activity aligns with Dubai’s energy policy and strategic goals
• The technical viability of your project (for example fuel storage, HVAC system design, energy services output)
• Environmental and public safety compliance — ensuring your operations won’t cause hazardous emissions, risk to the public or non-compliance with other regulatory bodies
• If applicable, your capacity to handle energy/fuel safely, maintain and monitor operations, and adhere to standards

During this review they may ask you for additional information: more technical data, amended drawings, site inspections or risk assessments. Responding promptly to any such requests — quicker responses reduce overall time to approval.

Step 5: Pay the fees and obtain the approval certificate

Once DSCE is satisfied, you will receive communication to pay the required fee(s). The exact amount depends on the nature and scale of your activity. After payment you’ll be issued the formal DSCE approval certificate or stamp.

This certificate is important because it:

• Confirms DSCE has reviewed and accepted your activity
• Becomes a required document when your licence is issued or renewed
• Can be requested by banks, partners, supply chain vendors or government agencies as proof of compliance

Make sure you keep the certificate safe, and when your trade licence is printed, ensure the condition or reference to the DSCE approval is included.

Step 6: Post-approval compliance and renewals

Getting the certificate is great, but the job isn’t finished. After approval you must maintain compliance. That means:

• Ensure your operations continue to meet the technical, safety and environmental standards set out in your application
• If you change your activity, increase scale, or introduce new energy-related operations, you may need to re-apply or update your DSCE approval accordingly
• During trade licence renewal or change of activity, you’ll likely need to provide your DSCE certificate or approval reference
• Retain all records, maintenance logs, safety checks or energy performance reports (if relevant) — this shows ongoing compliance and protection against future audits

Business value of doing this right

By following the process and securing DSCE approval, your business gains multiple advantages:

• You stay fully legal and compliant — avoiding costly fines, licence refusals or business interruption
• You demonstrate to customers, partners and financiers that your business is safe, sustainable and trusted
• You align with Dubai’s push for sustainability and responsible energy usage — which increasingly influences investment, partnerships and regulatory sentiment
• You reduce risk of non-compliance, which could lead to reputational damage or worse

Final thoughts

Getting the Supreme Council of Energy Approval may seem like an extra step, but in today’s regulatory environment it’s critical. The process rewards preparation: document your plans well, respond quickly when asked, pay fees on time, and ensure your operations deliver as promised.

If the process seems complex or if your project has many moving parts (for example fuel handling, industrial scale energy, HVAC networks or renewable installations), consider specialist support. A consultant can help you navigate DSCE’s requirements, submit a robust application, track progress, and help ensure you hit compliance from day one.