On the occasion of the International Day of Clean Energy, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to advancing clean and renewable energy initiatives. Under the leadership of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the country has made significant strides in increasing the share of renewable energy in its national energy mix.
Al Tayer emphasised that the UAE remains one of the world’s largest investors in clean energy projects, driven by pioneering strategies and ambitious initiatives that reinforce its leadership in global climate action. He highlighted the UAE’s role in securing the historic UAE Consensus at COP28, which provided an ambitious and comprehensive response to the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement. This initiative has laid out a clear roadmap for climate action until 2030.
Supporting UAE’s Net-Zero Vision
DEWA plays a pivotal role in supporting the UAE’s vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 through innovation, sustainability, and the adoption of eco-friendly technologies. The authority’s major projects and initiatives have positioned Dubai as a global hub for sustainability and the green economy.
Key Renewable Energy Projects
In alignment with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, DEWA is spearheading initiatives to ensure that 100% of Dubai’s energy production comes from clean sources by 2050. Some of its key projects include:
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world, follows the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. By 2030, it will have a total production capacity exceeding 5,000MW. Currently, the park has an operational capacity of 2,860MW from photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP). With the completion of the 1,800MW sixth phase by 2026, the capacity will reach 4,660MW, helping reduce 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
Green Hydrogen Project
DEWA’s Green Hydrogen Project, located at the solar park, is the first initiative of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This pioneering project harnesses solar energy to produce, store, and convert hydrogen into electrical energy. The facility produces 20 kilograms of hydrogen per hour and has a storage capacity of 240 kilograms. Designed for scalability, the plant is expected to support various future hydrogen applications.
Hatta Hydroelectric Power Plant
DEWA’s pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Hatta is the first of its kind in the GCC region, with a capacity of 250MW. The plant utilises water from Hatta Dam and an upper reservoir in the mountains. During off-peak hours, turbines powered by clean energy pump water to the upper reservoir, which is later released to generate electricity via a 1.2-kilometre underground water canal. The facility boasts 78.9% efficiency in power generation and storage, with a 90-second response time to meet electricity demand.
Shams Dubai Initiative
The Shams Dubai initiative encourages property owners to install solar panels on their rooftops to generate electricity, reducing reliance on conventional energy sources. This initiative is part of Dubai’s Distributed Renewable Resources Generation programme, providing customers with step-by-step support to integrate photovoltaic (PV) systems into their buildings. The initiative streamlines processes, from obtaining a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to system installation and energy generation.
As Dubai moves towards its clean energy targets, DEWA continues to implement large-scale renewable projects, further strengthening the UAE’s sustainability leadership on the global stage.
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