Dubai’s electricity and water authority announced on Monday that its Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park now accounts for more than 15% of the emirate’s energy production capacity. The park is currently capable of generating 2,327 megawatts, solidifying its status as a vital component of Dubai’s renewable energy ambitions. The solar park, which is being constructed by the emirate’s electricity and water authority, has a projected capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030. The Dubai Solar Park is the world’s largest single-site solar park utilizing the Independent Power Producer model. The project recently added 200MW from the 900MW fifth phase of the scheme, which employed photovoltaic solar panels, adding to Dubai’s total energy production capacity, which has now reached 14,817MW. The Dubai Solar Park is responsible for 15.7% of the emirate’s energy capacity, according to Dewa.
The fifth phase of the park aims to supply clean energy to over 270,000 Dubai homes and reduce carbon emissions by 1.8 million tonnes per year. Dubai is committed to promoting sustainability and shifting towards a sustainable green economy by increasing the proportion of renewable and clean energy in the city’s energy mix, according to Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority. Energy demand in Dubai has increased from 50,401 gigawatt-hours in 2021 to 53,180 gigawatt-hours last year, reflecting strong performance across all sectors in Dubai, as well as population growth and key activity expansion.
Dubai aims to generate 25% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030 and 100% by 2050 as part of its clean energy target. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority is constructing the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in the Dubai desert, the world’s largest solar park, to reduce its reliance on natural gas and diversify its power sources. The use of the IPP model has aided in attracting roughly Dh50 billion ($13.6 billion) in investments in the solar park. Once finished, the solar park will contribute to a reduction of over 6.5 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. Dewa set a world record in 2020 when it received the lowest bid of $1.6953 cents per kilowatt for the 900MW fifth phase of the solar park. The sixth phase, expected to operate between 2024 and 2026, will have a capacity of 1,800MW using photovoltaic solar panels. The UAE plans to invest Dhs600 billion in clean energy projects as part of its Net Zero 2050 strategy. It is also constructing the world’s largest solar plant in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region, with a total capacity of 2 gigawatts.
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