Dubai now produces 14 per cent of its power through clean energy, it was revealed on New Year’s Day.

 

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), announced that the production capacity of clean energy in Dubai has reached 2,027 megawatts (MW) using photovoltaic solar power (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP). This is about 14 per cent of Dubai’s total power production capacity of 14,517 MW.

 

The announcement was made during Al Tayer’s visit to the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, a project of DEWA as the largest single-site solar park in the world using the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. It will have a production capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030, using PV solar panels and CSP.

 

Al Tayer inspected progress on the fourth phase of the park, where 417MW have 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 is 92 per cent complete.

 

The fourth phase of the park is being implemented by Noor Energy 1. DEWA owns 51 per cent of the company while ACWA Power holds 25 per cent, and the Silk Road Fund owns 24 per cent.

 

 

Al Tayer also inspected the fifth phase of the solar park where DEWA has connected 600MW to its grid. The fifth phase has a total capacity of 900MW and investment of Dh2.058 billion. The 300MW third project of the fifth phase is 52.9 per cent complete and will be commissioned in 2023. It uses the latest solar photovoltaic bifacial technologies with Single Axis Tracking to increase energy production. It will provide clean energy for more than 270,000 residences in Dubai and reduce 1.18 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

 

The Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 will provide 100 per cent of Dubai’s total power production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050.

 

 

The fourth phase of the solar park, with a capacity of 950 MW and investments amounting to Dh15.78 billion according to the IPP model, is the largest single-site solar CSP plant in the world. It combines CSP and solar photovoltaic technologies. This phase uses three hybrid technologies: 600MW from a parabolic basin complex (three units of 200MW each), 100MW from the world’s tallest solar power tower at 262.44 metres (based on Molten Salt technology), and 250MW from photovoltaic solar panels.

 

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. (GULF NEWS)

 

 

PHOTO: DEWA CEO Al Tayer visiting Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai.