Gulf Construction Online - Tenders issued for MBR solar park fifth phase

UAE Focus

MBR solar park ... the project will feature the tallest solar tower in the world and the largest thermal storage capacity.

UAE Focus

Tenders issued for MBR solar park fifth phase

01 July 2019

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has issued a tender for the fifth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park that will produce 900 megawatts (MW) of electricity using photovoltaic solar panels, based on the independent power project (IPP) model.

This move supports the objectives of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to provide 75 per cent of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy by 2050. The deadline to submit the tenders is August 22, 2019.

The winning bidder will own 40 per cent of the company operating the project, and Dewa will own 60 per cent. It will sign an agreement with the electricity authority to purchase the generated power for 25 years. Dewa received letters of intent for the tender from 64 companies. The fifth phase of the solar park will be commissioned in stages starting from Q2 2021.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the largest single-site solar park of its kind in the world. It will have a capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030 with investments of Dh50 billion ($13.6 billion). Through its projects, the park will accelerate Dubai’s expansion of solar power.

“Dewa is working to transform Dubai into a global hub for clean energy and green economy, to make it the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world. Meeting the clean energy objectives requires a capacity of 42,000 MW of clean and renewable energy by 2050,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa. “To achieve our vision to become a globally-leading sustainable innovative corporation, we are working to establish sustainability as the roadmap that secures a brighter and happier future for Dubai, by launching major world-class initiatives and projects in green development.”

The 13 MW first phase became operational in 2013 using photovoltaic solar panels. The 200 MW photovoltaic second phase of the solar park was operational in March 2017. The 800 MW photovoltaic third phase will be operational by 2020.

The fourth phase of the solar park is the largest single-site concentrated solar power (CSP) project in the world based on IPP, at a total investment of Dh15.78 billion. It will use three technologies: 600 MW from a parabolic basin complex, 100 MW from a solar tower, and 250 MW from photovoltaic panels.

The project will feature the tallest solar tower in the world, 260 m tall, and the largest thermal storage capacity of 15 hours; generating power around the clock.