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DUBAI, 2nd September, 2015 (WAM) -- Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA, has visited the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Seih Al Dahal in Dubai, to review progress on the different projects there.
The Solar Park will produce over 3,000MW when all phases are completed. Al Tayer also inspected the construction of both the Creativity and Innovation and R&D centres, and progress on the 400/132kV substation at the Solar Park, which will connect the power station of the second phase of the solar park with DEWA’s electricity grid. It is due to be completed by November 2017.
Al Tayer was accompanied by Hussain Lootah, Executive Vice President of Power Transmission, Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications at DEWA, and Saeed Al Jallaf, Vice President of Transmission Projects and Permits.
DEWA operates the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, one of the largest strategic renewable energy projects in the world, based on the independent power producer, IPP, model. The 13MW first phase became operational on 22nd October, 2013. The consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s ACWA and Spain’s TSK was selected to implement the 200MW second phase of the solar park, which will be operational in 2017. The 800MW third phase has been announced, and the total capacity of the solar park will reach 3,000MW by 2030.
During his visit, Al Tayer reviewed the work progress on the different projects at the Solar Park, which include an interactive innovation centre, a dedicated R&D centre to test technologies such as photovoltaic, PV, panels and for concentrated solar power, or CSP.
The solar park also includes a water desalination unit that uses reverse osmosis technology to produce 50 cubic metres of drinking water a day. The desalination plant is powered by a PV array.
"The project supports the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE Vision 2021 and the Dubai Plan 2021, to enhance the position of the UAE as a global role model in achieving the highest standards of energy efficiency and renewable energy as per the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030. The Strategy aims to diversify Dubai’s energy mix by 2030 to be 71% from natural gas, 7% from nuclear power, 7 % from clean coal, and 15% from solar power.
"The Solar Park is a major step in implementing the energy diversification strategy approved by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, which focuses on producing electricity from solar power as part of Dubai's energy portfolio," said Al Tayer.
"The price DEWA managed to get for phase two of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park has set a new world standard in photovoltaic power projects based on the IPP model. DEWA has succeeded in obtaining the lowest price globally at US$ 5.62 cents per kWh, because of the confidence in DEWA and Dubai, and the legislation that protects the rights of all parties. This step will lead to more investment in renewable energy in Dubai, the region, and the world," added Al Tayer.
Swiss engineering firm ABB is building the 400/132 kV substation and briefed Al Tayer on the project progress. Energo, the project’s consultant, was also present. ABB is working with a number of companies on the project, and about 30% of the project’s engineering work has been completed. Al Tayer expressed his satisfaction with the project’s progress according to schedule.
WAM/Moran
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