Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) says it has received 21 requests for qualification (RFQs) from international energy companies and consortia for the 800MW 3rd project of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model.
This comes shortly after His Highness Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated the 2nd project of the Solar Park, which will be operational in April 2017.
In September, DEWA received 95 Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from international energy companies. The project tender is expected to be released in January 2016.
“The high interest demonstrated by international companies to participate in the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park reflects the global trust in DEWA and Dubai in general,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
DEWA aims to achieve the objectives set by the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 that aims to provide 7% of Dubai’s energy from clean sources by 2020, 25% by 2030, and 75% by 2050.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the largest single-site solar project in the world.
It will produce 1,000MW by 2020 and 5,000MW by 2030, with total investment of Dh 50 bn and will support Dubai government’s green initiatives to reduce carbon emissions.
The solar park includes an innovation centre that includes a number of research and development laboratories in clean energy and will oversee research and development projects, with a total investment of Dh 500mn.
Facilities at the solar park include a solar testing facility to study and evaluate the performance, long-term stability and reliability of the panels under actual local weather conditions. It also collaborates with international organisations on soiling and dust mitigation on photovoltaic equipment. The tests will set a baseline for the development of specifications, tests and standards for photovoltaic equipment in the region.
