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Dewa selects Masdar to build 6th phase of mega solar park

Outdoors, Electrical Device, Solar Panels Wam
The 1,800 MW sixth phase will become operational in stages starting from Q4 2024

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has selected the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) to build and operate the 1,800 MW sixth phase of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. It has an estimated cost of AED5.51 billion ($1.50 billion).

The Dubai-listed utility achieved the lowest levelised cost of energy of $1.6215 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for any of its solar independent power producer (IPP) model so far.

Dewa received 23 expressions of interest from international applicants for the project, followed by the release of the request for qualification (RFQ) on November 15, 2022, state-run Wam news agency reported.

“Dewa is committed to completing the phases of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park using the latest solar power technologies to enhance the shift towards a green sustainable economy,” said CEO Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer.

When completed, the solar park is expected to reduce over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The sixth phase will become operational in stages starting from the fourth quarter of 2024.

The power purchase agreement (PPA) and financial close agreements will be signed in due course.

The total capacity of the solar energy projects commissioned at the solar park has reached 2,427 MW. The share of clean energy in Dubai’s energy mix is about 16.3 percent of its total installed capacity.

“This percentage will reach 24 percent in 2026 with the completion of the sixth phase and the remaining phases under construction of the solar park,” added Al Tayer.

Following completion of the sixth phase, the total capacity at the solar park will rise to 4,660 MW.

Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 aim to provide 100 percent of the emirate’s total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050.