Dubai introduces the world's first solar-powered aluminum

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) have announced a new global milestone placing the UAE as the first country in the world to produce aluminum using the power of the sun.

"The milestone supports the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum", vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the most sustainable city in the world and to take the lead in the development and application of scientific and technological advances in the energy sector. 

DEWA will supply EGA’s smelter with 560,000 megawatt hours of solar power yearly from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Solar Park, sufficient to make 40,000 tons of aluminum in the first year with the potential for significant expansion.

Saeed Mohammed Al-Tayer, managing director and CEO of DEWA and vice chairman of EGA said the agreement is in line with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to provide 75% of the Emirate's energy production capacity from clean energy sources by mid-century.  

“The new achievement contributes to supporting our efforts in reducing carbon emissions through the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy. Dubai reduced 22 percent in carbon emissions in 2019 compared to business as usual. Results achieved exceeded the targets set in the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy, which aims to reduce carbon emissions by 16 percent by 202", said Al-Tayer.  

Abdulnasser bin Kalban, chief executive officer of EGA, said: “Aluminum is lightweight, strong and an infinitely recyclable metal and these properties mean that as a material it plays a vital global role in the development of a sustainable future. However, it also matters how sustainably aluminum is made. CelestiAL, aluminum made in the UAE with solar power, will help make modern life possible for people around the world whilst protecting our planet for future generations. This is a great milestone for the UAE and our industry.”

Aluminum is used in products and infrastructure from smartphones to skyscrapers. Its uses include applications that contribute to a more sustainable environment from wind farms to electric vehicles, and mass transit to solar panels.

EGA's sourcing of solar power from Dubai's electricity grid will be tracked and traced through the use of the International Renewable Energy Certification System, ensuring that the energy used to produce EGA's CelestiAL solar aluminium has been sourced from the sun.

Dubai has become an international pioneer in developing a clean and renewable energy sector. Meeting the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 targets requires a capacity of 42,000MW of clean and renewable energy by 2050.

The strategy consists of five pillars: infrastructure, legislation, financing, capacity and skills development, and an environmentally friendly energy mix. In the area of infrastructure, the aforementioned expansion of the Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum solar park, the world's largest concentrated solar power project, is planned. One of the strengths of the Al-Maktoum park is that it has the world's tallest solar thermal power tower, reaching 262.44 meters, which was built as part of the park's fourth expansion phase.  +

Despite the pandemic, work has not stopped to continue expanding the facilities, something which was praised by DEWA's Managing Director, Al-Tayer.