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The UAE has set ambitious goals for clean energy, with plans to generate 25% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 and 100% by 2050. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (DEWA) Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park brings the country closer to their goals.

DEWA has awarded a $1.5 billion contract to Masdar to build the sixth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The project will add 1,800 megawatts (MW) of solar power to the park, making it the largest single-site solar park in the world.

“When completed, the solar park will reduce over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

The total capacity of the solar energy projects commissioned at the solar park has reached 2,427MW. The share of clean energy in Dubai’s energy mix is about 16.3% of its total installed capacity. This percentage will reach 24% in 2026 with the completion of the sixth phase and the remaining phases under construction of the solar park.

Through phase six, DEWA has achieved the lowest Levelized Cost Of Energy (LCOE) of 1.6215 US cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for any of DEWA’s Solar IPP Projects. 

Before selecting Abu Dhabi’s Masdar, DEWA had received 23 expressions of interest from international applicants to develop this project. Subsequently, the Request for Qualification (RFQ) was released to the market on November 15.

The total production capacity of solar projects at the solar park is 2,427MW. With DEWA building another project with a total capacity of 433 MW and the 1,800MW 6th phase of the solar park, the total production capacity of solar projects will reach 4,660MW.

Phase five of the solar park was inaugurated in June, expected to power 270,000 homes and offset 1.18 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

This solar park is considered the largest single-site solar park in the world and is part of DEWA’s plan to achieve 100% clean energy by 2050. 

“We are striving to achieve the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into a global hub for clean energy and green economy,” said Al Tayer.