Dubai’s Dhs12bn Solar Park On Schedule

Dubai’s Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park at Seih Al Dahal is on schedule and making steady progress, officials have said.

The project, costing a total of Dhs12 billion, will be completed in phases and will have a production capacity of 1000 MW of electricity. The first phase of the solar park is expected to near completion by the end of this year.

The first phase will generate 13MW of solar energy, which will be directly linked to DEWA’s grid.

The park will also include a centre for advanced studies and research along with facilities for students and scientists studying the various facets of the project.

The project is in line with the Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative launched by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

It aims to strengthen the Emirate’s position in the field of energy efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy, complementing the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, which aims to diversify energy sources as follows: natural gas 71 per cent, nuclear energy and clean coal 24 per cent and solar power five per cent of Dubai’s total power output.

The UAE’s total solar power generation capacity could reach more than 20GW by 2030, if transparent and enforceable regulatory and policy frameworks are implemented, according to experts.

In March this year, UAE-based clean energy company Masdar announced the launch of Shams 1, the world’s largest concentrated solar power plant (CSP) in operation.

The 100MW plant, located in the western region of Abu Dhabi, will generate clean energy to power 20,000 homes in the UAE.