Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) organised a special conference at its headquarters to give an overview for local and international bidders about the latest developments of the 1,800MW 6th phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MBR) Solar Park, using photovoltaic solar panels. The 6th phase will become operational in stages between 2024 and 2026.

Following the conference, DEWA took the attendees on a tour around the solar park, which is the largest single-site solar park in the world, using the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, with a production capacity that will reach 5,000 MW by 2030. When completed, the Solar Park will reduce more than 6.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, highlighted that the increasing interest in the solar park reflects the confidence of investors from around the world in DEWA’s major projects in collaboration with the private sector using the IPP model. It also affirms its success in strengthening the leadership of Dubai and the UAE in generating clean and renewable energy. DEWA has achieved world records for the lowest solar energy prices (Levelised Cost of Electricity) for five consecutive times, making Dubai a global benchmark for solar power prices.

Al Tayer added, “The Solar Park is one of our most notable projects to achieve to support the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100% of Dubai’s total power production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050. The current production capacity of the solar park is 2,027 megawatts MW. This is about 14% of Dubai’s energy mix, which has reached 14,517MW.

“The 4th phase of the solar park, with a capacity of 950 MW according to the IPP model, is the largest concentrated single-site solar power plant that combines CSP and solar photovoltaic technologies. It features the world’s tallest solar power tower at 262.44 metres. 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.”

DEWA has appointed a consortium of companies led by Ernst & Young (EY Consulting) to provide consultancy services for implementing the 6th phase of the solar park.