DEWA to add an additional 600MW of clean energy capacity to Dubai’s energy mix in 2021

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), announced that DEWA will add 600 megawatts (MW) of clean energy capacity using photovoltaic solar panels and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) during 2021. This will increase DEWA’s total power capacity from clean energy to 1,613 MW compared to 1,013 MW currently.

Al Tayer said that next July, DEWA will commission the 300MW first stage of the 5th phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. DEWA will commission the world's tallest CSP tower at 262.44 metres with a capacity of 100MW in September and 200MW from the parabolic trough as part of the 4th phase of the solar park by the end of 2021. Therefore, DEWA will add 300MW from solar photovoltaic panels and 300MW from CSP. Clean capacity in Dubai’s energy mix will reach around 10% in July and 12% by the end of the year.

“At DEWA, our strategy and work plans are guided by 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, innovation, and the shift towards a green sustainable economy. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is one of DEWA’s key projects to achieve this vision and increase the share of clean and renewable energy capacity in Dubai’s energy mix. This supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to provide 75% of Dubai’s total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050. Since its launch, the solar park’s projects have received considerable interest from global developers, which reflects the confidence of international investors in DEWA’s major projects,” said Al Tayer.

Al Tayer emphasised that DEWA's major projects in cooperation with the private sector, based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, contribute to the economic growth of the Emirate. Through this model, DEWA received the lowest solar energy prices (Levelised Cost of Energy) globally five consecutive times, making Dubai a global benchmark for solar power prices. DEWA has attracted investments of around AED 40 billion from the IPP model.

Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence at DEWA, explained that the 4th phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the largest single-site investment project that combines CSP and photovoltaic technology using the IPP model. It is rated for 950MW with investments up to AED 16 billion. This phase is characterised by the largest thermal energy storage capacity in the world of 15 hours, which allows for energy production round the clock.

DEWA received the lowest global bid of USD 1.6953 cents per kilowatt hour for the 900MW fifth phase using the latest solar photovoltaic bifacial technologies, with Single Axis Tracking to increase energy production.