Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) | MBR Solar Park Phase 5

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has issued a tender for the 5th phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park for 900 megawatts (MW) of electricity using photovoltaic solar panels, based on the Independent Power Project (IPP) model. This move supports the objectives of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to provide 75% of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy by 2050. The deadline to submit the tenders is 22 August 2019. The winning bid will own 40% of the company operating the project, and DEWA will own 60%. The winning bidder will sign an agreement with DEWA to purchase the generated power for 25 years. DEWA received letters of intent for the tender from 64 companies. The fifth phase of the solar park will be commissioned in stages starting from Q2 2021.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the largest single-site solar park of its kind in the world. It will have a capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030 with investments of AED 50 billion. Through its projects, the park will accelerate Dubai’s expansion of solar power.

“We are committed to completing the phases of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park to the highest international standards with the latest solar power technologies. This supports the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Eight Principles of Governance in Dubai, and the 50-Year-Charter, which His Highness issued. This ensures that the energy supply will meet growing demand in Dubai and enhance the shift toward green economy by increasing its share of clean energy,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

“DEWA is working to transform Dubai into a global hub for clean energy and green economy, to make it the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world. Meeting the clean energy objectives requires a capacity of 42,000MW of clean and renewable energy by 2050. To achieve our vision to become a globally-leading sustainable innovative corporation, we are working to establish sustainability as the roadmap that secures a brighter and happier future for Dubai, by launching major world-class initiatives and projects in green development,” said Al Tayer.

The 13MW first phase became operational in 2013 using photovoltaic solar panels. The 200MW photovoltaic second phase of the solar park was operational in March 2017. The 800MW photovoltaic third phase will be operational by 2020. The fourth phase of the solar park is the largest single-site Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) project in the world based on IPP, at a total investment of AED15.78 billion. The fourth phase of the 950MW hybrid power plant will use three technologies: 600MW from a parabolic basin complex, 100MW from a solar tower, and 250MW from photovoltaic panels. The project will feature the tallest solar tower in the world, 260 metres tall, and the largest thermal storage capacity of 15 hours; generating power around the clock.