Dubai, UAE: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has informed that 80% of the second phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is complete, as of mid-December. According to a press communiqué issued by the utility, the second phase is reportedly the first and largest of its kind in the United Arab Emirates, and will eventually generate 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity by April 2017. It added that 75% of the 2.2 million photovoltaic panels have been installed, to date.

The communiqué said that Mohammad Abdullah Abunayyan, Chairman of ACWA Power, and Abdulhameed Al Muhaidib, Managing Director of Shuaa Energy 1, briefed H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, in detail about the implementation process. The duo, the communiqué revealed, showed the construction, operations and engineering progress, to ensure that the project is delivered on time. The communiqué also highlighted that at the time, DEWA set a world record by obtaining the lowest price globally for the second phase, at a price of USD 5.6 cents per kilowatt hour (kW/h). The project, the utility said, occupies 4.5 square kilometres with an investment of about AED 1.2 billion, and Shuaa Energy 1 is a company established by DEWA to complete the project according to UAE legislation.

DEWA, the communiqué further revealed, is the majority shareholder at 51% with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power and the Spanish industrial group, TSK taking the remaining stake. DEWA said that it is working closely with Shuaa Energy 1 to ensure that the second phase of the park is operational by April 2017.

“DEWA is inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in all its projects and initiatives,” said Al Tayer. “All projects included in the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park adhere to the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, to transform Dubai into a global centre for clean energy and green economy. The strategy sets the target to generate 5,000MW of solar power by 2030. Clean energy will generate 7% of Dubai’s total power output by 2020, 25% by 2030, and 75% by 2050.”

Abunayyan added: “Completing 80% of this strategic project, with a total of 1 million man hours logged, reflects the intensive efforts made by the team. The vision to increase the use of renewable energy resources is inspired by directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. DEWA supports this vision and is committed to making every effort to make it a reality.”