Shaikh Mohammad launches Dh12b solar power project

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai on Monday launched a Dh12 billion solar project - Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park - which will eventually produce 1,000 megawatts of power. The project will be operated by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa). The first phase of the project will produce 10 megawatts of power and be completed by 2013. it willl cost Dh120 million, officials said at a press conference attended by Shaikh Mohammed. According to the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, the government is looking to diversify the source of energy, defining target for renewable energy to supply 1 per cent of Dubai energy by 2020 and 5 percent by 2030, with most of it will be solar.