Gulf Construction Online - Tunnelling starts at hydroelectric station

UAE Focus

Site of the Hatta project.

Tunnelling starts at hydroelectric station

01 August 2020

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) said tunnelling operations have begun at its 250-MW hydroelectric power station in Hatta, a first-of-its-kind project in the GCC, being built at an investment of Dh1.42 billion ($386.5 million).

The construction contract for the pumped-storage hydroelectric power station was awarded to a consortium led by Austrian construction company Strabag, with key partners Strabag Dubai, Andritz Hydro and Ozkar, said Dewa.

Électricité de France (EDF) is the consultant of the project, which is scheduled to be commissioned by February 2024.

The 250-MW station will generate electricity by making use of the water stored in Hatta Dam. It will have a storage capacity of 1,500 MWh and a life span of 80 years, it stated.

“The hydroelectric power station translates Dewa’s hard work to implement the directives of the wise leadership to protect natural resources and increase the share of clean and renewable energy,” remarked Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO.

“This is what we strive to achieve through the pumped-storage hydroelectric power station, which is the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf region. This promotes Dubai’s position as a global hub for clean energy and green economy,” said Al Tayer, after reviewing the work progress of the project.

Al Tayer was accompanied by Nasser Lootah, Executive Vice President (EVP)-Generation, Yousef Jebril, EVP-Power and Water Planning, Dr Yousef Al Akraf, EVP-Business Support and HR, Mansoor Alsuwaidi, VP-Projects Generation at Dewa; and Khalifa Albedwawi, the project manager.

“Tunnelling operations have started at the hydroelectric station. This phase is very critical and uses the latest and safest drilling technologies to fit Hatta’s geological features while following the highest international environmental standards,” he stated.

Al Tayer said this strategic project would diversify the energy mix and support Hatta’s economic, social and environmental development.

“It will also help achieve the goals of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to provide 75 per cent of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy by 2050,” noted the top official.

It will also feature a visitor’s centre and outdoor activities and tourist facilities that will support the sustainable development of Hatta and enhance its position as one of most prominent tourist attractions in Dubai, he added.

The 250-MW power station will use water in the Hatta Dam and an upper reservoir that will be built in the mountain, said Dewa.

During off-peak hours, advanced turbines will use clean solar power from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park to pump water from the dam to the upper reservoir, it stated.

Turbines operated by the speed of the waterfall from the upper reservoir will be used to generate electricity through a 1.2-km subterranean water canal, with high efficiency in power generation and storage, and with a 90-second response to demand for electricity, it added.