Mohammed bin Rashid witnesses signing between DEWA, Masdar

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, yesterday witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, and Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, on the implementation of the 800-megawatt (MW) third phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. 

The MoU signing took place at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi and was attended by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. 

The 800MW third phase will be constructed based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. The selected bidder for the project is a Masdar-led consortium that includes Spanish companies FRV (Fotowatio Renewable Ventures) and Gransolar Group. 

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said: "Masdar is proud to have been chosen to develop the third phase of the largest single-site solar park in the world. The significant scale and competitive cost of this project are a clear signal that solar energy is a reliable and commercially viable technology. 

"Today's signing illustrates the UAE leadership's clear commitment to diversifying its energy sources and promoting the widespread adoption of renewable energy by cost-effectively scaling up solar power. It also underlines the UAE's firm belief that all sources of energy are needed to meet the world's growing demand for energy. 

"The selection of the Masdar-led consortium to develop the third phase of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai is a testament to the company's experience and track record over the last decade. It also reinforces Abu Dhabi's and Masdar's growing contribution to the development of the renewable energy industry, both domestically and internationally." 

"Our energy systems are evolving to be smarter and more effective. By using multiple sources of energy such as gas, nuclear and solar, we are efficiently and cost-effectively meeting our varying power needs, from base load to peak demand. This project will achieve this very objective." 

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer of DEWA said: "In line with the directives of President of the UAE HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we have taken further steps to achieve our goals for solar energy by signing the agreement with the selected bidder led by Masdar for the 800MW third phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which will become operational in 2020 to coincide with the World Expo 2020 in Dubai. The park supports the goal of UAE Vision 2021 to transform the UAE into one of the greatest countries in the world by 2021. It is the largest single-site solar park in the world, and will produce 5,000MW by 2030 with a total investment of AED 50 billion." 

"Our wise leadership has a vision to transform the UAE into the most sustainable country in the world by launching a number of clean and renewable energy projects and ensuring the Emirate's continuous growth, while at the same time protecting its natural resources, and shaping the future of energy in the region as a whole, to achieve sustainable development and promote everyone's happiness, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come," added Al Tayer. 

"We strive to implement the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to diversify the energy mix so that clean energy will generate 25% of Dubai's total power output by 2030 and 75% by 2050. This strategy relies on innovation, and research and development (R&D) as the basis for the future of energy. 

"Since the announcement of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the project has attracted huge interest from the business and energy sector. DEWA received several offers from international solar energy companies, reflecting the trust and interest from investors in large projects adopted by the Dubai Government. Encouraged by the favourable existing regulations and legislation in Dubai that permit private sector partnerships in power production projects in the Emirate, the 800MW third phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the first project of its kind in the region with this capacity." 

"We aim to demonstrate to the world our excellence in the public utilities sector, and our focus on discovering renewable and clean energy resources," concluded Al Tayer.

Source: WAM