Emirates finalises preparations for the inauguration of the world's largest solar park
The Emirates continues to lead the world in solar renewable energy. Although Morocco is hot on its heels, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the prime minister of Dubai, has inaugurated the Innovation Centre of the Dubai Water and Electricity Authority (DEWA) and the third 800MW phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum Solar Park, the largest solar park in the world.
This park will have a total planned capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030 and an amount of 50 billion dirhams AED has been invested to carry out the project.
Last day Al-Maktoum visited the facilities and also took the opportunity to visit the site where the fourth phase of 950MW of the solar park, an ambitious concentrated solar power project, will be carried out.
The fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum solar park combines CSP with photovoltaic solar panels. The project will have the world's tallest solar power tower at a height of 262.44 metres.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum was welcomed by Saeed Mohammed al-Tayer, DEWA's Executive Director and CEO. The Sheikh was briefed by Al-Tayer on the global centre for innovation in renewable and clean energy that is expected to help shape the global future of sustainable energy.
The Centre houses an auditorium for events, conferences and training programmes on solar energy, renewable energy and other green initiatives. The four-story building covers 4,355 square meters and is 88 meters high. Al-Maktoum toured the exhibitions focusing on solar energy and its various technologies.
Through the Innovation Centre, DEWA aims to support innovation and creativity in clean and renewable energy, promote sustainability, develop Emirati's talent and improve the country's competitive advantage in this sector.
The centre's research will support the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to diversify the energy mix and provide 75% of Dubai's total energy capacity from clean energy sources by 2050.
During the visit, Sheikh Mohamed inaugurated the third 800MW phase of the solar park. DEWA built the third phase using the IPP model in partnership with a consortium led by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar and EDF Group, through its subsidiary EDF Energies Nouvelles with an investment of AED 3.47 billion.
The third phase provides clean energy for more than 240,000 residences in Dubai. The facility is the first of its kind in the MENA region to use single-axis solar tracking to increase power generation. It also uses other innovative technologies, including photovoltaic panel cleaning robots, to increase the efficiency of the plant.
"As the UAE prepares for 'The Next 50 Years', the Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum solar park will further strengthen the country's position as a world leader in cost-competitive renewable energy, Al-Maktoum himself has announced to the media.
