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29 March 2024

Dubai has spare capacity to meet demand: Dewa

Published
By Parag Deulgaonkar

Dubai already has sufficient spare power and water capacity to meet the demands for World Expo 2020, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) chief said on Wednesday.
 
“We have an installed capacity of 9700 megawatts (MW). Last year, the peak load in summer reached around 6500 MW and so it means we have enough spare capacity to meet the requirements of Expo,” Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice-Chairman of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and CEO of Dewa said on Wednesday after announcing the launch of Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (Wetex) 2014.
 
The emirate, he pointed out, was investing in power and water projects, having already announced three major initiatives.
 
“Besides, we have initiated three projects. First one is the expansion of “M Station,” which has a store capacity of 2030 MW. We are going to increase it by 600 MW. The second one is the clean coal plant (1200 MW) for which we have just awarded the consultancy services.
 
“The third is the Solar Park, for which we will award the contract for 100 MW phase by year-end. So from our side we are covered and meeting the future requirements,” Al Tayer stressed.
 
The Solar Park is being implemented by Dubai's Supreme Council of Energy and managed and operated by DEWA, as part of the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030. It is expected to cover 40 square kilometres and produce 1,000MW of clean energy for the national grid using both PV and solar thermal technology.
 
The Hassyan Clean Coal Power Plant will be a world-class sustainable utility and will use clean coal as feedstock for electricity generation. The first phase of the project has a capacity of 1200 MW, and is expected to be operational by 2020.
 
M Station in Jebel Ali has a capacity of 2,060 MW of electricity, and 140 million imperial gallons of desalinated water per day.
 
--No shortage of water
 
As to water capacity, Al Tayer stated, “Dubai had plenty of water.”
 
 “We have plenty of water, more than 470 million gallon as a store capacity. Presently, the peak load during summer is 300 million gallon, which means we have an additional 170 million gallon.”
 
Dewa’s initial forecast suggested a 4 to 5 per cent increase per annum in electricity and water demand, Al Tayer said, adding, “This means we will have excess capacity for World Expo 2020.”
 
Dubai is targeting by 2030 to generate five per cent of its electricity from renewable energy and 12 per cent from coal, while buying an additional 12 per cent of its power from nuclear reactors planned in neighboring Abu Dhabi.
 
--Wetex from April 14-16
 
Speaking about Wetex 2014, Dewa chief said it exhibition had evolved into a major event with 1,500 companies and organizations participating, in addition to 28 national pavilions.
 
“Over the past 16 years, Wetex has evolved into a major event that complements the biggest exhibitions on Dubai’s calendar. It also represents a valuable addition to the emirate that strives for excellence in the field of energy, adopting the latest environmentally-sustainable solutions at all levels,” Al Tayer said.
 
Wetex 2014 will be held at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 14 to 16.
 
Local, regional and international companies from over 40 countries will be displaying their latest technologies in the area of water, electricity, environment, oil and gas, green buildings and others.
 
For the first time, Dewa has added “Green Week” initiative to raise awareness about environmental sustainability and the conservation of water and electricity.
 
There will also be a SmarTech Shopper for the consumer sector, where exhibitors will showcase household appliances and solutions, offered to end consumers at discounted prices.