Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has issued a Request for Qualification (RFQ) for developers to build and operate the fifth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which boast a capacity of 900 MW.

 

The phase will use photovoltaic solar panels based on the independent power project (IPP) model. It will be commissioned in stages starting from the second quarter of 2021. 

 

The move supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to provide 75 per cent of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy.

 

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

 

The 13MW photovoltaic Phase One became operational in 2013 using photovoltaic solar panels, while the 200MW photovoltaic Phase Two was operational in March 2017 and will be followed by the 800MW photovoltaic Phase Three which is set ot become operational by 2020.

 

Phase Four of the solar park is the largest single-site concentrated solar power (CSP) project in the world based on the IPP model, with a total investment of Dh16 billion.

 

This phase of the 950MW hybrid power plant 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 at 260 m and the largest thermal storage capacity of 15 hours, generating power around the clock.

 

On the project, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the managing director and CEO, said: "Dewa is committed to completing the phases of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park to the highest international standards with the latest solar power technologies."

 

"This supports the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the Eight Principles of Governance in Dubai, and the 50-Year-Charter," he stated. 

 

"This ensures energy supplies to meet growing demand in Dubai and enhance the shift toward green economy by increasing its share of clean energy," he added.

 

Al Tayer said Dewa was 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 42,000MW of clean and renewable energy by 2050," he noted.

 

"To achieve our vision to become a leading sustainable innovative global 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," he added.-TradeArabia News Service