Dubai shortlists 24 firms for solar power project

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has shortlisted 24 developers for the second phase of Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, worth Dh1 billion (US$272 million).

Phase two of the project involves construction of a 100-megawatt installation to be built in public private partnership. The project will be located about 50 km south of the city of Dubai.

The deadline for submission of bids is 23 October 2014. In April this year we reported that DEWA opened the tender process for the project. The expanded solar project is expected to be commissioned by the summer of 2017.

The whole solar park project was launched in October 2013 with the connection of its inaugural 13MW PV plant. It plans to have 1GW of capacity by 2030. The solar park is part of Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 that aims to have an energy mix consisting of five per cent solar, 12 per cent nuclear, 12 per cent clean coal and 71 per cent natural gas by 2030.

The United Arab Emirates is the first country in the MENA region to commit to a green economy strategy and Dubai is leading the region in green infrastructure investment from renewable energy and green building to public transport and green technologies.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, stated:

We are committed to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to diversify the energy mix in Dubai. Through implementing the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, DEWA is fulfilling the vision of our prudent leadership for the sustainable development of Dubai

The Park is one of the biggest renewable-energy projects in the region at a cost of 12 billion dirhams. It will produce 1,000 megawatts upon completion.