His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (Dewa’s) Innovation Centre and the 800MW third phase of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world. With a planned total capacity of 5,000MW by 2030, the Park features an investment of Dhs50 billion.
His Highness also visited the site of the 950MW fourth phase of the solar park, the world’s largest Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) project, being developed at an investment of Dhs15.78 billion using the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. The fourth phase of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is also the world’s largest single-site investment
project, combines CSP with photovoltaic solar panels. The project features the world’s tallest solar power tower that will be 262.44 metres high.
Sheikh Mohammed was welcomed by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa.
Sheikh Mohammed briefed by Al Tayer about the Innovation Centre, a global hub for renewable and clean energy innovation that is expected to contribute to shaping the global future of sustainable energy.
The Centre houses an auditorium for events, conferences, and training programmes on solar power, renewable energy, and other green initiatives. The four-storey building covers 4,355 square metres and is 88 metres high.
His Highness toured the Innovation Centre’s exhibitions, which focus on solar power and its various technologies.
Through the Innovation Centre, Dewa aims to support innovation and creativity in clean and renewable energy, promote sustainability, develop Emirati talent and enhance the country’s competitive advantage in this sector.
The Innovation Centre’s research on solar power will support the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to diversify the energy mix and provide 75% of Dubai’s total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050.
800MW third phase
During the visit, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated the 800MW third phase of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. Dewa built the third phase using the IPP model in partnership with a consortium led by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and EDF Group, through its subsidiary EDF Énergies Nouvelles at an investment of Dhs3.47 billion. The third phase provides clean energy for over 240,000 residences in Dubai.
The facility is the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa 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.
