H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer speaking at the inauguration of the second phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park

Dubai, UAE: H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has inaugurated the 200 megawatt (MW) second phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has informed through a press communiqué.

According to the communiqué, the second phase of the solar park is the first and largest solar energy project in the region, based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. The second phase, the communiqué highlighted, was accomplished through a partnership between DEWA and the consortium led by ACWA Power from Saudi Arabia, the main developer of the project, and TSK from Spain, the main contractor, with an investment of AED 1.2 billion. Phase 2, the communiqué revealed, 2.3 million photovoltaic solar panels were installed over 4.5 square kilometres, and it can generate clean energy for 50,000 residences in Dubai, and will reduce 214,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The efforts of Shuaa Energy 1, which was established by DEWA and the consortium led by ACWA Power and TSK, have been vital in completing the work efficiently and professionally, added the communiqué.

Acknowledging the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, said: “The insightful vision of His Highness is both an inspiration and a guiding beacon in our drive towards excellence and the unprecedented overall progress that we have made to achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to generate 7% of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy by 2020, 25% by 2030, and 75% by 2050. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is one of the major projects that DEWA implements to achieve this promising strategy. It is the largest single-site solar park in the world, based on the IPP model, with a planned capacity of 1,000 megawatts by 2020 and 5,000 megawatts by 2030, with a total investment of AED50 billion. It will eventually save over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year, supporting Dubai’s objectives to promote sustainable development and a green economy.”

He further said that the UAE’s interest in producing renewable energy has contributed to the decline in costs globally. “This was clearly shown by DEWA setting a world record, obtaining the lowest price globally for the second phase of the solar park, at USD 5.6 cents per kilowatt hour. DEWA set another world record with the lowest recorded bid being USD 2.99 cents per kW/h for the 800 megawatt third phase of the solar park. This demonstrates the promising future of clean energy,” added Al Tayer.