Gulf Construction Online - Dewa’s showcase to highlight sustainability

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Location of Dewa’s Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Dewa’s showcase to highlight sustainability

01 July 2021

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) said it will be at the upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai with a large pavilion, characterised by a contemporary design that aligns with its role as the expo’s official sustainable energy partner.

Its pavilion highlights the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world with a planned capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030. Upon its completion, the solar park will reduce over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The current capacity of the solar park has reached 1,013 MW using photovoltaic solar panels. Dewa has 1,850 MW under way using photovoltaic solar panels and concentrated solar power (CSP) in addition to other phases to reach 5,000 MW by 2030.

“Our pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai provides a unique experience for visitors. It highlights Dewa’s innovative projects and initiatives, especially in renewable and clean energy and using the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to disrupt the entire business of public utilities,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dewa.

“Dewa intends to become the world’s first digital utility to use autonomous systems through its digital arm. Its objectives align with the Dubai 10X initiative, which aims to make the Government of Dubai 10 years ahead of other cities through government innovation,” noted Al Tayer.

The Dubai utility will showcase the Green Hydrogen project, the first of its kind in the region to produce hydrogen using solar power. It was implemented in collaboration with Expo 2020 Dubai, and Siemens Energy at the outdoor testing facilities of the solar park.

The pilot plant has been designed to accommodate future applications and test platforms of different uses for hydrogen, such as for industry and transportation.

Dewa said it has also allocated a stand at its pavilion for the Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME). It is part of the partnership between the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Dewa with the US Department of Energy. Dewa will showcase the designs submitted by universities in the second SDME, which will be held in conjunction with Expo 2020 Dubai.

One of Dewa’s pioneering and innovative projects which will be showcased at the event is the 250 MW pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Hatta. The station, a first of its kind in the GCC, will have a storage capacity of 1,500 megawatt-hours, a life span of up to 80 years.

It will also feature a model of Dewa’s new headquarters Al Shera’a (Arabic for Sail). It will be the world’s tallest, largest, and smartest government Zero Energy building, he added.