Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has received 21 requests for qualification (RFQs) from international energy companies and consortia for the third phase of the 800MW Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park project.

The facility, to be developed as an independent power producer (IPP) model, is the largest single-site solar project in the world. It will produce 1,000MW by 2020 and 5,000MW by 2030, at a total investment of Dh50 billion ($13.6 billion), said a statement from Dewa.

This supports Dubai Government’s green initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, it stated.

The Dewa announcement comes shortly after His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the second phase of the solar project.

Last September, Dewa received 95 expressions of interest (EOIs) from international energy companies. The project tender is expected to be released in January 2016.

The second phase of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park project will become operational in April 2017.

The solar park includes an innovation centre with a number of research and development laboratories in clean energy that will oversee Dh500 million ($136 million) research and development projects.

"The solid interest demonstrated by international companies to participate in solar park project reflects the global trust in Dewa and Dubai in general," remarked its managing director and CEO Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer.

"At Dewa, we work to achieve the objectives set by the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, launched by Sheikh Mohammed to make to make Dubai a global centre for clean energy and green economy. The strategy also aims to provide seven per cent of Dubai’s energy from clean sources by 2020, 25 per cent by 2030, and 75 per cent by 2050," he added.

The Dubai utility firm, stated Al Tayer, works to consolidate the foundations of sustainability in the emirate to achieve its vision to become a sustainable innovative world class utility, and draw a roadmap for a brighter and happier future in Dubai.

"We are steadily increasing our dependence on clean and renewable energy sources. Our resolve reflects the determination of our wise leadership who support the diversification of the energy mix to ensure its security and build a sustainable future for generations to come,"  he added.-TradeArabia News Service