PC: Zawya
According to the latest from the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Phase VI of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park-the largest single-site solar park in the world-is reportedly 53 percent complete. An operational capacity of 600 MW out of a total planned capacity of 1,800 MW on completion.
The project developer Shuaa Energy 4 is a joint-venture which is being owned jointly by DEWA with 60 percent and Masdar with the remaining 40 percent. This follows further the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model-a framework through which the private sector can participate in the sector of energy production.
It is a 5.5 billion UAE dirhams ($1.5 billion) investment mainly commissioned for the development of bifacial solar photovoltaic (PV) technology with single-axis tracking over an area of 20 square kilometers. DEWA pointed out that this technology is very effective in lifting the overall performance of the solar park.
When fully commissioned, the sixth phase of the solar park will have the potential of powering about 540,000 residential units with clean energy and will equally support Dubai in achieving its renewable energy goals. It would enhance the amount of renewable energy fed into the grid and, therefore, directly impact the city’s load on fossil fuels. Cutting down CO2 emissions by nearly 2.36 million tons of carbon emissions every year, it will comprehensively link into Dubai’s bigger sustainability agenda and a resolute commitment to adopting environmental standards.
One of the hallmarks in this phase is its lowest Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) bid of only 1.6215 cents per kWh, a record low in the solar park’s entire lifetime, which pan out to be the least-cost phase to date. It reaffirms the likely economic viability of the project and efficiency in delivering affordable clean energy. Besides, the facility achieved financial closure for development in February 2024, paving the way for a staged approach. This milestone offers a huge footprint to build investor confidence and ensures timely completion.
In August 2023, DEWA had mentioned that commissioning would be taken in phases, with the beginning in the fourth quarter of 2024. Currently, the total output capacity of the solar park stands at 3,460MW, and another 1,200MW is under construction.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is scheduled to reach a total capacity of 7,260MW by 2030, representing 34 per cent of Dubai’s energy mix. The project plays a significant role in supporting Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, which further solidifies the emirate in demonstrating its commitments to sustainable energy and environmental responsibility.
