Officially, the Al Maktoum Solar Park Project in the UAE has launched its fifth phase. During the solar park’s inauguration, the Vice President and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum was present. Its fifth phase is reported to provide clean energy to about 270,000 residences. Furthermore, it is said to potentially reduce 1.18 million tonnes of carbon emissions, annually.
As a result of the facility, DEWA is reported to have achieved a world record. The project is said to have received the lowest bid of $1.6953 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). The Dubai Utility revealed that it incorporates the use of the latest solar photovoltaic ‘bifacial’ technologies in its implementation. In an effort to increase energy production as well as the plant’s efficiency, it also features Single Axis Tracking.
According to press release reports, the Al Maktoum Solar Park Project’s implementation is based on an IPP model. The Independent Power Plant s as a result of a partnership between DEWA (60%), and a consortium led by Acwa Power and Gulf Investment Corporation (40%).
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Development of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park Project
By 2030, the solar park aims for a production capacity of 5,000MW. In total, it boasts investments of up to AED 50 billion. The development’s first phase became operational on 22 October 2014. Thereafter, the second phase followed suit on 20 March 2017, while the third phase became operational in June 2016.
Currently, the fourth phase is in development, with an annual capacity target of 950MW. Thus far, the total capacity of the solar energy projects at the solar park has accumulated to 2.427MW.
While commenting on the Al Maktoum Solar Park Project Mohammed bin Rashid noted that it strives to create a more sustainable future. Moreover, its completion will lead DEWA and the region, closer to realizing their shared vision. Thus, the solar park will also potentially contribute towards the growth of an economy that is fully powered by clean energy. In fact, reports reveal that DEWA has observed an increase in the share of clean energy within Dubai’s energy mix up to 16.3 %.
