Masdar consortium wins bid for 800MW solar power plant in Dubai
The 800MW third phase of Dubai's solar park will be built by a Masdar-led consortium. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) received 95 expressions of interest and five bids from international energy companies. The project, at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, will use the Independent Power Producer model and will form part of the world's largest single-site solar park with a planned capacity of 5,000MW by 2030. The completed project is expected to achieve a 6.5 million tonne reduction in carbon emissions each year.

Masdar-led group wins Dubai?s 800MW third phase of solar park

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has selected Masdar-led consortium to build the 800MW third phase of Dubai?s Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which will be constructed based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model

DEWA CEO Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer (centre) makes the announcement at a press conference in Dubai. (Image source: DEWA)

The consortium also includes Spanish companies FRV (Fotowatio Renewable Ventures) and Gransolar Group. The consortium bid a levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) of US$2.99 cents per kW/h.

According to DEWA, the consortium was selected following a significant competition and an evaluation of numerous offers. For the project, DEWA had received 95 expressions of interest (EOI) and five bids from international energy companies. In preparation for the next phase, DEWA will develop shareholder and power-purchase agreements that will be signed in Q4 2016.

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, minister of state and Masdar chairman, said, ?The selection of the Masdar-led consortium is a testament to the vision of the UAE leadership, the foresight of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, and the commitment of DEWA to realise ambitious renewable energy projects. It also reflects the technical expertise and proven track record that Masdar has built over the last ten years.?

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, CEO of DEWA, noted, ?Phase three of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park is a clear signal that solar power is a reliable and commercially-viable technology, and a key part of the UAE?s well-diversified energy strategy. This meeting supports the directives of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahan, President of the UAE, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

?Today we take another step forward for solar energy by announcing the selected bidder for the 800MW third phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. We have a roadmap to achieve this, which includes ambitious initiatives and development projects to provide excellent government services based on world-class standards, to achieve everyone?s happiness. This is a new phase of our economy that is based on environmental sustainability and clean energy to make Dubai the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world.?

?The importance of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park lies in two points: it is the first of its kind in the region, and in its capacity. It is the first of several promising projects to use renewable energy to generate electricity in Dubai,? added Al Tayer.

Earlier this month, DEWA also launched the largest concentrated solar power (CSP) project in the world, using the IPP model, with an expected capacity of 1,000MW by 2030, at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is the largest single-site solar park in the world with a planned capacity of 5,000MW by 2030 with a total investment of US$13.6bn.

Al Tayer revealed, ?DEWA has released a tender for leading international CSP consultants to submit their proposals for advisory services for the 200MW first project of the CSP plant. It will be operational by April 2021. DEWA will generate 1,000MW using this technology by 2030 at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park. The solar park?s 13MW first phase became operational in October 2013. The 200MW second phase will be operational in April 2017. When it?s completed, the project will achieve a reduction of approximately 6.5mn tonnes of carbon emissions annually.?