Dubai launches world’s largest solar project
DH14.2B CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER PLANT WILL HAVE 700MW CAPACITY
Dubai will build the world’s largest concentrated solar power (CSP) project at a cost of Dh14.2 billion that will generate 700 megawatts when completed, state news agency Wam reported yesterday.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the project yesterday.
The largest single-site project will be implemented by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) using the
Independent Power Producer model. The model will include the tallest solar tower in the world, standing at 260 metres. The contract of the project was awarded to a consortium that includes Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power and Shanghai Electric.
Shaikh Mohammad said: “We have made steady progress
in realising the goals of Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 that was launched as part of our objective to transform Dubai into a global clean energy and green economy hub. The carbon footprint of Dubai will be the lowest in the world by 2030.”
The world’s largest concentrated solar power (CSP) project, costing Dh14.2 billion, will be implemented in Dubai, state news agency WAM reported yesterday.
To be implemented by Dubai Water and Electricity Authority (Dewa), the largest singlesite project will generate 700 megawatts (MW) of power when completed. Using the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, it will include the world’s tallest solar tower, standing 260 metres tall, and a Dh100-billion fund to finance the plan.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the project yesterday.
A total of Dh500 million will be allocated, as part of the project, for research and development works in the field of smart networks and improvement of energy efficiency over the course of the coming period.
The project comes as part of implementing the fourth stage of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and to support the end goals of Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050.
Commenting on the project, Shaikh Mohammad said: “The UAE has succeeded in building a global green economy model based on the environmental sustainability and clean energy and supported by clear plans. These plans will contribute to strengthening the foundations of such a model and developing it according to the world’s finest standards.
“Implementing the world’s largest CSP project reaffirms the UAE leadership’s commitment to renewable clean energy and enhances our status at the forefront of the most advanced countries in this field. We are pressing ahead with carrying out projects that support the UAE’s comprehensive development and our aspirations that we have set for the future and are being implemented today.
“We are steadily moving towards achieving Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 goals, which we have launched to turn Dubai into a global hub for clean energy and green economy and have the lowest carbon footprint in the world by 2050. We are very proud to see our goals turning into tangible achievements by our national cadres who proved their efficiency and excellence in various fields.”
Dewa said that it has awarded the contract for the construction of the CSP project using the IPP model with a consortium that includes Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power and China’s Shanghai Electric. It has also guaranteed to achieve the lowest cost price of energy with 7.3 US cents per kilowatt.
Dewa is also working to sign an energy purchase agreement and putting in place all necessary arrangements for the CSP project, which will be implemented in the last quarter of 2020.
Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa, said: “Awarding this strategic project comes in line with Shaikh Mohammad’s vision aiming to boosting the sustainability and turning Dubai into a global hub for clean energy and green economy through Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to provide seven per cent of Dubai’s power through clean energy by 2020, 25 per cent by 2030 and 75 per cent by 2050.”