UAE is all set to get the world's largest single-site solar park by 2030. On 6 September, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Masdar, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company signed an agreement to build and operate the sixth phase of the landmark Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, featuring a cost of up to Dhs 5.51 billion. Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Chairman of Masdar, and COP28 President-Designate and Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of DEWA, signed the agreement in Abu Dhabi.
The agreement was signed in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. His Highness Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs were also a part of the meeting.
The project, once ready, aims to provide clean energy to over 540,000 million residences while reducing carbon emissions by 2.36 million tonnes annually. The total cost of all the phases of this landmark project is around Dhs 50 billion. When fully completed, the solar park will reduce over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The 1,800MW sixth phase will become operational in stages starting from Q4 of 2024.
On this landmark deal, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said, "We're on track to achieve our ambitious goal - 100 percent clean energy for Dubai by 2050."
Dubai aims to become one of the most sustainable cities in the world, and with these upcoming projects, the emirate will achieve its goals. Speaking about this agreement, Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, chairman of Masdar, stated, “Ahead of our nation hosting COP28 later this year, it is vital that the world triples global renewable energy capacity by 2030 to keep the ambition of 1.5 degrees within reach. This landmark project demonstrates definitive action in our shared journey towards a cleaner, greener future.”
