Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), has reviewed the progress on the 300MW Stage II of the 800MW Phase III of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park
DEWA is implementing this phase using the independent power producer (IPP) system in partnership with a consortium led by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and EDF Group, through its subsidiary, EDF ?nergies Nouvelles.
The solar park project is in line with the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to promote sustainability and transform Dubai into a global hub for clean energy and green economy. It also aims to achieve the objectives of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to provide 75 per cent of Dubai's power output from clean energy sources by 2050.
DEWA is building the 800MW Phase III of the solar park using photovoltaic (PV) technology, in three stages, on a total area of 16 sq km. The first stage with a capacity of 200MW became operational in May 2018. The 300MW third stage will become operational in the first half of 2019 and the 300MW final stage will become operational in the first half of 2020.
Representatives from Shuaa Energy 2, which is established and 60 per cent owned by DEWA, briefed Al Tayer on the progress of the 300MW second stage of the third phase. Al Tayer emphasised the need to adhere to the highest standards of health, safety and quality in the project and executing it according to schedule.
Al Tayer also visited the 200MW first stage of the third phase. This solar plant is the first of its kind in the MENA region with an advanced solar tracking system to increase generation efficiency by 20-30 per cent when compared to fixed installations.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is one of the leading single-site solar parks in the world, based on the IPP model. It is expected to generate 5,000MW by 2030. The 13MW PV Phase I became operational in 2013.
According to DEWA, the 200MW photovoltaic Phase II of the solar park was launched in March 2017. The 800MW PV Phase III will be operational by 2020, and the first stage of the 700MW CSP fourth phase will be commissioned in Q4 of 2020.
