UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has broken ground on the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the biggest Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) project in the world. 

 

This CSP project will generate 700 MW of clean energy and features the world’s tallest solar tower measuring 260 m and the world’s largest thermal energy storage capacity. The project will provide clean energy to over 270,000 residences in Dubai, reducing 1.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions a year, said the Saudi-based ACWA Power, which is leading the consortium that is developing the fourth phase.

 

The start of the new project advances the UAE’s global leadership in the use of clean and renewable energy, it added.

 

Sheikh Mohammed said that developing the UAE’s infrastructure is top priority for the leadership and vital to raising the country’s global competitiveness. The UAE is developing a new model for sustainability and innovation and is keen to find creative solutions based on international best practices and benchmarks. The country is a pioneer in transforming its energy sector to one based on solar power and clean energy, he added.

 

“We will continue pursuing ambitious investments with an emphasis on projects that have a positive impact on people’s lives. Clean and renewable energy is key to sustainable development and the UAE has set an example for its rapid adoption,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

 

“We have developed a sustainable infrastructure that will serve new generations. This infrastructure has been built by young Emiratis who will lead our country through the next phase of growth. We are proud of our nation’s advancements in clean energy and green economy. The country is reaping the fruits today of the strong planning that we initiated years ago,” he added.

 

Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied at the ground-breaking ceremony by Deputy Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, as well as ministers, and director generals and senior officials of Dubai government departments. 

 

This CSP project, based on the independent power producer (IPP) model, will use two technologies for the production of clean energy: the 600 MW parabolic basin complex and the 100 MW solar tower over a total area of 43 sq km. This project, which features an investment of Dh14.2 billion ($3.87 billion), has achieved the world’s lowest levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) of 7.3 cents per kilowatt hour (kW/h). This is a new global achievement for the UAE.

 

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director of CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) said: “I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for honouring us with his presence today on the occasion of this important milestone in our progress towards sustainability. This pioneering Emirati landmark has become a global model based on a vision. It anticipates the future of a nation that sees sustainability as a life-long approach, and a basis for its progress and pioneering achievements for generations to come. President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has affirmed his commitment to continuing efforts to conserve the environment and enhance the sustainability of our natural resources. This continues the legacy of our nation’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.” 

 

“We are guided by HH Sheikh Mohammed’s resolve and vision to achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to transform Dubai into a global hub for clean energy and green economy; establishing the emirate as the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world. Achieving these ambitious targets will require more than 42,000 MW of clean and renewable energy by 2050. This project is one of the most important projects that will contribute to these needs. It has a planned capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030, with a total of Dh50 billion in investments, to accelerate the transformation towards solar power,” Al Tayer further said. 

 

“The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will provide Expo 2020 Dubai with a dedicated capacity of 464 MW of clean energy. This will be the first Expo in the world to be completely powered by clean energy. On this occasion, I would like to thank our partners in the consortium comprising Saudi Arabia’s Acwa Power and the Silk Road Fund, in collaboration with China’s Shanghai Electric as the main contractor, for their efforts and contributions in achieving our ambition to harness the sun,” added Al Tayer.

 

At the ceremony, Mohammed Abunayyan, chairman of Acwa Power, said: “We are proud to be part of Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 through this project, which extends our portfolio in the energy sector in Dubai and, thanks to the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, proves the success and effectiveness of implementing projects based on a public-private partnership model. We have also demonstrated the success of our mission to reduce the price of solar energy and deliver the lowest tariff by implementing concentrated solar energy (CSP) at a commercial scale - thereby contributing to the reduction of reliance on traditional energy sources. The project also set multiple world records including the world's tallest solar tower, at 260 m and delivering the world's highest capacity molten salt storage unit - able to provide 15 hours of uninterrupted supply even without sunlight”.

 

Paddy Padmanathan, CEO of Acwa Power, added: “24-hour dispatchable cost-competitive solar energy that this project will deliver is not just a monumental step forward in achieving the goals of Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy but is also possibly the most significant contribution to accelerating the energy revolution across the world. The investment of $750 million Acwa Power is making into this project is also the single largest investment we are making in any project and thus a testament to our confidence in the concentrated solar power technology and our commitment to the long-term partnership with Dewa and the government and the people of Dubai."

 

“On behalf of Shanghai Electric, I would like to express warm congratulations on the ground-breaking of this project and gratitude to those who have been dedicating to making contributions in pushing forward the project. This project is by far the largest and most advanced concentrated solar power project co-developed by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and Acwa Power, implemented by Shanghai Electric as EPC contractor,” said Cao Min, president of Shanghai Electric.

 

“It’s universally acknowledged that Dubai is a dynamic and charming metropolis and Shanghai Electric is privileged and proud to witness its boom and prosperity. We’ve sensed the trust from the client and turn it into momentum to cater to whatever the client requires us with strong sense of responsibility,” added Min.