The second phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai, UAE which holds a capacity of 200 megawatts (MW), will be operational by April 2017, according to top officials.

The park’s ongoing projects support the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, to provide 7 per cent of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy sources by 2020, 25 per cent by 2030, and 75 per cent by 2050.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), recently visited the Park, in Seih Al-Dahal, Dubai, and followed up with the implementation process to ensure that projects are completed as per their expected date.

Al Tayer was briefed by officials from Shuaa Energy 1, about the progress made in construction. Dewa has set a new world record by obtaining the lowest price globally, at $0.056 (5.6 cents) per kilowatt (kW), for the second phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The project is worth Dh1.2 billion ($326 million).

Last June, Dewa announced the Masdar-led consortium as the selected bidder for the 800 MW third phase park, which will be constructed based on the IPP model, to be operational by 2020.  The consortium bid a Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE), of USD $2.99 cents per kW, a new world record.

Al Tayer also visited the water desalination unit at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park to check its progress. The desalination plant is powered by a photovoltaic (PV) array, and uses reverse osmosis technology to produce 50 cu m of drinking water a day. The project supports Dewa’s R&D efforts, to provide high-quality drinking water.

Dewa cooperates with other international organisations to conduct research on water desalination using solar energy. The project also supports Dewa and the UAE Water Foundation (Suqia)’s efforts to supply clean drinking water, for drought affected countries.

Al Tayer also followed up with the progress made on the Innovation Centre, which will act as a museum, exhibition and convention centre for solar and renewable energy.

The proposed 4,000-sq-m building will have four floors and be ready by 2017. Al Tayer was briefed about the latest developments on the main Dh275 million 400/132kV substation, which has a conversion capacity of 1,515 megavolt amperes (MVA).

 Swiss company ABB was the main contractor on the 400 kV substation, which is 88 per cent complete and is expected to be ready next month in September 2016. Representatives from ABB highlighted the on-site construction works at the substation, which is divided into four sections. The first includes a 400kV substation with 11 gas-insulated switchgears (GIS). The second section converts from 400 kV to 132kV with a conversion capacity of 1,515 MVA.

It includes three 400/132 kV interconnecting transformers. The third section has 21 GIS and the fourth section houses the control and safety facilities. ABB is cooperating with a number of companies, including Energo and Comodor, to finish the project by next month.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is operated and managed by Dewa and will be the largest single-site solar park in the world. The 13MW first phase became operational in October 2013, while the 200MW second phase will be operational in April 2017. It will produce 1,000MW by 2020 and 5,000MW by 2030. When completed, the project will achieve a reduction of approximately 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. – TradeArabia News Service