Dubai’s Clean Energy Capacity Reaches 14% of Total Power Production

The production capacity of clean energy in Dubai has reached 2,027 MWs using photovoltaic solar power (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP). This is about 14% of Dubai’s total power production capacity of 14,517 MW.

CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer announced this during an inspection visit to the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, recently.

This is the largest single-site solar park in the world using the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. It will have a production capacity of 5,000MW by 2030, using photovoltaic solar panels and CSP technologies.

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Al Tayer inspected work progress in the 4th phase of the park that is 92% complete. Al Tayer also inspected the 5th phase of the solar park which has a total capacity of 900MW. The 300MW third project of the 5th phase is 52.9% complete and will be commissioned in 2023.

It uses the latest solar photovoltaic bifacial technologies with Single Axis Tracking to increase energy production. It will provide clean energy for more than 270,000 residences in Dubai and reduce 1.18 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

H.E. Al Tayer said: “We work in line with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to promote sustainability and the transition towards a sustainable green economy.

"We achieve this by diversifying energy sources and increasing the share of renewable and clean energy in Dubai’s energy mix.

"This achieves the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100% of Dubai’s total power production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050."

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the most important clean energy project to achieve this goal and consolidate Dubai’s position as a smart and sustainable city as well as a preferred destination for living, working, investing, and visiting, he added.

The 4th phase of the solar park, with a capacity of 950 MW is the largest single-site solar CSP plant in the world. It combines CSP and solar photovoltaic technologies.

This phase uses three hybrid technologies: 600MW from a parabolic basin complex (three units of 200MW each), 100MW from the world’s tallest solar power tower at 262.44 metres (based on Molten Salt technology), and 250MW from photovoltaic solar panels.

On its completion, the project will have the largest thermal storage capacity in the world of 15 hours, allowing for energy availability around the clock. The 4th phase will provide clean energy for around 320,000 residences and reduce 1.6 million tonnes of carbon emissions yearly.

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