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DEWA Commissions 200MW Solar Energy To Drive Emirate’s Solar Capacity | |
| Radhika Laghate |
The 5th phase of the solar park uses photovoltaic solar panels and concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies to provide clean energy to over 270,000 residences in Dubai.
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Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced that it has commissioned 200 MW of the 900 MW 5th phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park ahead of schedule. With this development, the park’s current production capacity stands at 2,327 MW, representing more than 15% of the emirate’s energy production capacity. It aims to provide 100% of Dubai’s total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050 to achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050.
The 5th phase of the solar park uses photovoltaic solar panels and concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies to provide clean energy to over 270,000 residences in Dubai, reducing 1.18 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
The project is part of a series of investments totaling AED 50 billion in the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which uses the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, making it the largest single-site solar park in the world.
A Step Towards Achieving Clean Energy Targets
The announcement follows the declaration of 2023 as the Year of Sustainability in the UAE, with the slogan "Today for Tomorrow," by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
DEWA’s efforts also support the UAE hosting the largest international climate event, the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28), which will take place in Expo City Dubai later this year. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, CEO and MD of DEWA, said the 5th phase of the solar park will contribute to reducing more than 6.5 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
DEWA also organised a special conference in March 2023 to provide an overview for local and international developers about the latest developments of the 1,800 MW 6th phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, using photovoltaic solar panels, which will become operational in stages between 2024 and 2026.