DEWA’s clean energy projects consolidate UAE's leadership in green transformation and sustainable development

On the occasion of the International Day of Clean Energy, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), emphasised that the UAE, under the wise leadership of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has made great achievements in increasing the share of clean and renewable energy in its energy mix. Al Tayer noted that the UAE is one of the world's largest investors in clean energy projects and has pioneering strategies and ambitious initiatives that have consolidated its position in global climate action. This was reflected in leading the efforts that resulted in the historic UAE Consensus in COP28, which provided an ambitious and comprehensive response to the first Global Stocktake to assess progress in implementing the Paris Agreement’s goals, and to develop a clear road map for climate action until 2030.

Al Tayer explained that DEWA supports the vision of wise leadership to reach net zero by 2050 by employing innovation, adopting sustainable practices and developing ecofriendly technologies that contribute to reducing carbon emissions and ensuring a balance between economic development and environmental protection. DEWA has mega projects and pioneering initiatives that have consolidated Dubai's position as a global hub for sustainability and a green economy.

Pioneering projects

DEWA’s projects support the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100% of the Emirate’s energy production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050. DEWA’s key projects and initiatives include:

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the largest single-site solar park in the world, based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. It will have a production capacity of more than 5,000MW by 2030. The total capacity of the solar energy projects commissioned at the solar park has reached 2,860MW from photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP). When the 1,800MW sixth phase is completed by the end of 2026, the solar park’s production capacity will reach 4,660MW. By 2030, the solar park will reduce more than 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

The Green Hydrogen Project

DEWA’s Green Hydrogen project at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the first project of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa to use solar energy to produce hydrogen, store it and convert it back into electrical energy, among other uses. The project produces 20 kilogrammes of hydrogen per hour, with the hydrogen storage tank capable of storing up to 240 kilogrammes. The plant uses a hydrogen gas motor with a capacity of about 300 kilowatts. The project has been designed and built to accommodate future applications and test platforms for various uses of hydrogen.

Hydroelectric Power Plant in Hatta

DEWA’s pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Hatta is the first of its kind in the GCC region. The 250MW power station will use water from Hatta Dam and a newly constructed upper reservoir in the mountains. During off-peak hours, sophisticated turbines will harness clean energy to pump water from the dam to the upper reservoir. Subsequently, turbines spun by the water falling from the upper reservoir will generate electricity through a 1.2-kilometre subterranean water canal. This system boasts high efficiency in power generation and storage, reaching up to 78.9%, with a rapid 90-second response to electricity demand.

Shams Dubai Initiative

Through the Shams Dubai initiative, DEWA encourages customers to install photovoltaic solar panels on the roofs of their buildings and facilities to meet part of their energy needs. This is a part of the Distributed Renewable Resources Generation programme in Dubai. The connection procedure consists of different stages with the support of an accredited contractor or consultant. These stages include getting a No-Objection Certificate (NOC), design approval, uploading the technical approval and notifying DEWA, as well as site inspections and completion of the connection process, and finally generating electricity from solar energy.