The UAE is among the largest countries in the world to invest in clean and renewable energy projects and was the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to launch a strategic initiative to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. During the Year of Sustainability, it hosts the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai Expo City. This underlines the UAE’s global standing in climate action and the great importance it attaches to achieving a balance between development and environmental sustainability.

100% clean energy by 2050
“At DEWA, we work in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to provide a state-of-the-art infrastructure that keeps pace with sustainable development and the increasing demand for electricity and water services. In Dubai, we have a clear strategy and roadmap to transform Dubai into a centre of excellence in essential new technologies to achieve net zero carbon emissions in line with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy to provide 100% of Dubai’s total power production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050. In the Year of Sustainability in the UAE, we continue implementing our pioneering projects to increase the share of clean energy in Dubai’s energy mix. The production capacity of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park has reached 2,427 MW, which is 16.3% of Dubai’s total production capacity,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).

Leading Global Project
DEWA contributes to promoting leadership in the different areas of sustainability through globally leading projects, focusing on innovation, the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, digital transformation, and the circular economy as key enablers for achieving sustainability. One of DEWA’s key renewable and clean energy projects is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world, using the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. It has a planned production capacity of 5,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030 using solar photovoltaic panels and concentrated solar power with total investments of AED 50 billion. When completed, the solar park will reduce 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. So far, the solar park has more than 8.5 million solar panels installed with over 84 million working hours.

Announcing the Solar Park
In January 2012, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the launch of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Seih Al Dahl. The 13MW first phase became operational on 22 October 2013. This Phase, which uses photovoltaic solar panels, contributes to an annual reduction of about 15,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. It comprises over 152,000 solar panels and required more than 6,000 working hours. 

2nd Phase (200MW using PV solar panels)
On 20 March 2017, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated the 200MW photovoltaic 2nd Phase of the solar park. DEWA implemented the project in partnership with a consortium led by ACWA Power from Saudi Arabia as the main developer and Spain’s TSK as the main contractor. This Phase reduces 214,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. It included the installation of over 2.3 million photovoltaic solar panels and more than 600,000 working hours.