Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has started trial operations and electricity export from its pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Hatta, following an announcement by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, during a site visit to the project.
The plant, currently in its final testing phase, has already produced more than 17,921 megawatt-hours of electricity.
Once fully operational, it will provide 250 MW of generation capacity, 1,500MWh of storage, and is expected to operate for up to 80 years. With peak demand in Hatta at around 39 MW, surplus power will be supplied to Dubai’s grid.
Al Tayer toured the underground power station, located 60 metres below ground level, where he reviewed the operation of two main water valves weighing 110 tonnes each.
He also visited the command and control centre, witnessed operational tests of pumping and generation, and inspected the upper dam, which has a storage capacity of 5.3mn cubic metres of water.
Expanding renewable targets
The structure consists of two compressed concrete walls, the main wall rising 72 metres in height and stretching 225 metres in length.
The AED1.42bn project is part of DEWA’s wider efforts to expand renewable and storage technologies.
Alongside solar PV, concentrated solar power, and battery systems, the Hatta plant contributes to the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, which target 100% clean energy generation by mid-century.
Using a closed-loop system, the plant generates electricity by releasing water stored in the upper dam through a 1.2 km tunnel to spin turbines, achieving a turnaround efficiency of nearly 79%.
Power can be dispatched to DEWA’s grid in less than 90 seconds when demand peaks. During low-demand periods, solar power from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will be used to pump water back to the upper reservoir.
Also read: Dubai invests US$2bn on expanding electricity transmission network
DEWA begins trial operations at Hatta hydro plant
The plant is currently in its final testing phase. (Image source: DEWA)
