Energy

New phase of Dubai Solar Park begins operations

The 4th phase augments the largest single-site solar project in the world, providing power for 320,000 homes

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has commissioned the 200MW second unit of its parabolic basin solar complex. This is a key element in the fourth phase of deployment for the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.

This phase uses the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, with investments of up to US $4.3bn. It is set to provide clean energy for approximately 320,000 residences and reduce carbon emissions by 1.6m tonnes annually. The 950MW 4th phase is the largest single-site project in the world combining both Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and photovoltaic technologies.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO, DEWA commented: “The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park’s projects constitute one of the key pillars of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100% of the energy production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050. Commissioning the 200MW second unit of the parabolic basin complex in the fourth phase increased the solar park’s production capacity to 2,627MW, and Dewa’s total production capacity to 15,117MW.”

“The fourth phase of the solar park supports DEWA’s efforts to increase the share of renewable and clean energy and energy storage. DEWA is implementing other energy storage projects, including the 250MW pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Hatta, with a storage capacity of 1,500MW-hours, and the Green Hydrogen project that produces and stores hydrogen using solar energy,” he added.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the largest single-site solar park in the world, with a planned total capacity of 5,000MW by 2030. DEWA and the Acwa Power-led consortium, established Noor Energy 1 as a project company to design, build, and operate the 4th phase of the park. DEWA holds a 51% stake in the company, Acwa Power holds 25%, and the Chinese Silk Road Fund owns 24%.

The 4th phase of the Solar Park uses three hybrid technologies to produce clean energy: 600MW from a parabolic basin complex (three units of 200MW each), 100MW from the world’s tallest solar power tower at 262.44m (based on Molten Salt technology), and 250MW from photovoltaic solar panels. So far, 717MW have been commissioned from this phase, which will have the largest thermal storage capacity in the world of 15 hours, allowing for solar energy availability round the clock.

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