Clean energy makes up 14% of Dubai’s total power production

WAM

The production capacity of clean energy in Dubai has reached 2,027 megawatts (MW) using photovoltaic solar power (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP), state-run WAM news agency reported.

This makes up about 14 percent of the Emirate’s total power production capacity of 14,517MW, said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, chief executive officer CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa).

He inspected work progress in the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, where 417MW has been connected to Dewa’s grid. This includes 217MW from photovoltaic solar panels and 200MW from CSP using parabolic basins. 

The fourth phase of the solar park, which is being implemented by Noor Energy 1, is 92 percent complete. Dewa owns 51 percent of the company, ACWA Power holds 25 percent, and the Silk Road Fund owns 24 percent.

The utility provider has connected 600MW to its grid in the fifth phase of the solar park, which has a total capacity of 900MW and investments of AED2.058 billion. 

The 300MW third project of the fifth phase is 52.9 percent complete and will be commissioned in 2023. It will provide clean energy for more than 270,000 residences in Dubai and reduce 1.18 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

“Dewa has attracted around AED40 billion of investments and received the lowest global solar energy prices five consecutive times using the independent power producer (IPP) model, making Dubai a global benchmark for solar energy prices,” Al Tayer noted.

The fourth phase of the solar park, with a capacity of 950MW and investments amounting to AED15.78 billion, is the world’s largest single-site solar CSP plant. 

On its completion, the project will have the largest thermal storage capacity in the world of 15 hours, allowing for energy availability around the clock. 

The fourth phase will provide clean energy for around 320,000 residences and reduce 1.6 million tonnes of carbon emissions yearly. 

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the largest single-site solar park in the world using the IPP model. It will have a production capacity of 5,000MW by 2030, using photovoltaic solar panels and CSP technologies.