Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is set to commence clean energy exports from its pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Hatta starting April 2025, according to Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive officer of DEWA. The operational tests for the landmark project began in January 2025, marking a significant milestone in the UAE’s transition to renewable energy.
Al Tayer made the announcement during an inspection visit to review progress on the power plant, which is the first of its kind in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The project, which is now 96.82% complete, is designed to generate electricity using water stored in the Hatta Dam and a newly constructed upper dam in the surrounding mountains. Once operational, the plant will have a production capacity of 250 megawatts (MW), a storage capacity of 1,500 megawatt-hours, and a lifespan of up to 80 years. The total investment in the project stands at AED 1.421 billion.
The Hatta hydroelectric plant plays a key role in Dubai’s long-term sustainability goals, aligning with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, which aim to transition 100% of Dubai’s energy production to clean sources by mid-century.
Al Tayer emphasized that the project is part of DEWA’s broader strategy to diversify energy generation from renewable and clean sources, including solar photovoltaic panels, concentrated solar power, and green hydrogen production.
During the visit, Al Tayer reviewed the latest construction developments, including the recent completion of generator installations. Preparations are underway for a trial operation in the first quarter of 2025. He also inspected the upper dam, which features a 72-meter-high main wall and a 37-meter-high side dam, now filled in readiness for the testing phase.
The hydroelectric power plant is designed as an energy storage facility with a turnaround efficiency of 78.9%. It operates by utilizing stored water in the upper dam, converting potential energy into kinetic energy as it flows through a 1.2-kilometer subterranean tunnel. This kinetic energy drives turbines that generate electricity, which can be delivered to DEWA’s grid within 90 seconds to meet demand. Excess energy generated from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will be used to pump water back to the upper dam, enabling energy storage through a closed-loop system.
The Hatta hydroelectric plant is a major step in Dubai’s commitment to clean energy innovation, reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainable infrastructure development.
