Dubai's utility provider invites bidders for 200MW solar power plant

All qualified bidders were requested to present proposals for a 200MW concentrated solar power, CSP, plant, the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA, said today.

"This 200MW CSP Plant will be operational by April 2021, since we intend to continue generating 1,000MW from CSP by 2030. Undoubtedly, this project is another milestone achievement that will put Dubai and the UAE at the forefront in the region in producing renewable and clean energy, and supports the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum," said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the largest single-site strategic solar energy project of its kind in the world, and is part of DEWA’s efforts to support the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to increase the share of clean energy in Dubai total energy output to be 7 percent by 2020, 25 per cent by 2030, and 75 per cent by 2050.

The Request for Proposal, RFP, issued on 15th January, supports the wise vision of Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to make Dubai a global centre of clean energy and green economy, DEWA said in an emailed press release.

In June 2016, DEWA announced that the consortium led by Abu Dhabi's clean energy company Masdar was the selected bidder for the 800MW third phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, to be completed by 2020.

The total capacity of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will reach 1,000MW by 2020, and 5,000MW by 2030, with total investments of AED 50 billion.

DEWA is determined to continue building and developing a greener economy, to achieve the UAE Vision 2021 of a sustainable environment in terms of air quality, conserving water resources, more reliance on clean energy, and implementing green development in Dubai, as well as Dubai Plan 2021 to establish Dubai as a smart and sustainable city, whose environmental elements are clean, healthy and sustainable, Al Tayer added.