DEWA: Second phase of Dubai’s Solar Park 80% completed

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has confirmed that 80% of the second phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is complete, as of mid-December. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the largest single-site solar park in the world based on the Independent Power Producer model (IPP). The second phase is the first and largest of its kind in the UAE and will eventually generate 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity by April 2017. To date, 75% of the 2.2 million photovoltaic panels have been installed. During the installation, no injuries were recorded, with over 1 million safe man hours logged.

Mohammad Abdullah Abunayyan, Chairman of ACWA Power, and Abdulhameed Al Muhaidib, Managing Director of Shuaa Energy 1, briefed HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, in detail about the implementation process. They showed the construction, operations, and engineering progress, to ensure that the project is delivered on time. At the time, DEWA set a world record by obtaining the lowest price globally for the second phase, at a price of USD 5.6 cents per kilowatt hour (kW/h). The project occupies 4.5 square kilometres with an investment of about AED 1.2 billion. Shuaa Energy 1 is a company established by DEWA to complete the project according to UAE legislation. DEWA is the majority shareholder at 51% with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power, and the Spanish industrial group TSK taking the remaining stake. DEWA is working closely with Shuaa Energy 1 to ensure that the second phase of the park is operational by April 2017.

“DEWA is inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in all its projects and initiatives. All projects included in the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park adhere to the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, to transform Dubai into a global centre for clean energy and green economy. The strategy sets the target to generate 5,000MW of solar power by 2030. Clean energy will generate 7% of Dubai’s total power output by 2020, 25% by 2030, and 75% by 2050,” said Al Tayer.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the largest single-site solar park in the world, with a planned capacity of 1,000 MW by 2020 and 5,000 MW by 2030, and a total investment of AED 50 billion (USD 13.6 billion) and will eventually save approximately 6.5 million tonnes per annum in emissions. The World Expo will be connected to the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which will provide it with 200MW of power.

“Completing 80% of this strategic project, with a total of 1 million man hours logged, reflects the intensive efforts made by the team. The vision to increase the use of renewable energy resources is inspired by directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. DEWA supports this vision and is committed to making every effort to make it a reality,” said Abunayyan.

Al Tayer also followed up with the progress made on the Innovation Centre, which will act as a museum, exhibition and convention centre for solar and renewable energy. It will attract tourists, universities, schools, companies, and partners. It will be open to solar energy manufacturers and developers, as it has a specialised and permanent convention centre for events and conferences, training and meetings on subjects related to solar and renewable energy, and other green initiatives. The building covers 4,000 square metres, is 90 metres high, and consists of 5 floors. The Centre will be built by 2017.

Photo: courtesy of DEWA