The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) is actively promoting sustainability and the transition to a green economy by increasing the use of clean and renewable energy in Dubai’s energy mix. This aligns with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability and the hosting of COP28.
Dewa recently inaugurated the 900 MW fifth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the world’s largest single-site solar park, with over AED 2 billion in investments. Additionally, a partnership with Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) was formed to develop and operate the 1,800 MW sixth phase, with investments of up to AED 5.51 billion.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dewa, emphasized that the solar park will reduce approximately 6.424 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually upon the completion of the sixth phase in 2026. Dewa is committed to supporting the UAE’s goal of achieving Net-Zero by 2050, as well as the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, with the aim of sourcing 100% of Dubai’s power capacity from clean energy by 2050.
The total capacity of commissioned solar energy projects in the solar park has already reached 2,427 MW, equivalent to 16.3% of Dubai’s total installed capacity. This figure is expected to rise to 24% by 2026 after the Fourth and Sixth phases are completed. The solar park has ambitious plans, aiming for a production capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030, employing both solar photovoltaic panels and concentrated solar power, with total investments of AED 50 billion. Upon full completion, the park is projected to reduce annual carbon emissions by over 6.5 million tonnes.