HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has inaugurated Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (DEWA) Innovation Centre and the 800MW third phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
HH Sheikh Mohammed also toured the site of the 950MW fourth phase of the solar park which is being developed at an investment of $4.40 billion using the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. This phase combines CSP with photovoltaic solar panels.
The project features the world’s tallest solar power tower that will be 262.44 metres high. Once completed, the project aims to have a total capacity of 5,000MW by 2030.
HH Sheikh Mohammed was also briefed on the Innovation Centre by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA. The 4355 sqm. centre will house an auditorium for events, conferences, and training programmes on solar power, renewable energy, and other green initiatives.
The third phase solar park was built in partnership with a consortium led by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar, and EDF Group, through its subsidiary EDF Energies Nouvelles. This key phase provides clean energy for over 240,000 residences in Dubai.
The facility is the first of its kind in the MENA region to use single axis solar tracking to increase energy generation. It also uses other innovative technologies including cleaning robots for photovoltaic panels to increase the plant’s efficiency.
Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and chairman of Masdar, said: “Inspired by the vision of the UAE leadership, the inauguration of the third phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park marks a significant milestone in the journey towards achieving the UAE’s target of having 50 per cent of its power coming from clean energy by 2050.”
“I would like to congratulate all the teams involved in Shua’a Energy 2 for the delivery of this pioneering, strategic project for the UAE. As we look forward to the next 50 years, our dream of a sustainable future for all generations is becoming a reality,” he concluded.
