MBR Solar Park Phase II to be operational by April

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Dewa, recently visited the Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park in Seih Al-Dahal to follow up with the project implementation.

The park’s ongoing projects support the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, 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.

During the visit, Al Tayer examined the implementation process to ensure that projects are completed as per their expected date. He also inquired about the progress of the second phase of the solar park, which holds a capacity of 200 megawatts (MW).

The second phase is based on the Independent Power Producer, IPP, model and will be operational by April 2017. 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 5.6 US cents per kilowatt (kW) for the second phase of the solar park. The project is valued at Dh1.2 billion. Al Tayer emphasised the importance of meeting the deadline.

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 2.99 US cents per kW, a new world record.

Al Tayer visited the water desalination unit at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park to check its progress. The project also supports Dewa and the UAE Water Foundation's (Suqia) efforts to supply clean drinking water for drought affected countries. He 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 square metre 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% 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.

Senior Dewa officials accompanying Al Tayer included Abdul Hamid Al Muhaidib, CEO of Shuaa Energy, Thamer Al Sharhan, Board Member of Shuaa Energy, Nasser Lootah, Executive Vice President of Generation; Abdullah Obaidullah, Executive Vice President of Water and Civil; Hussain Lootah, Executive Vice President of Transmission Power; Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development; Marwan Bin Haidar, Executive Vice President of Innovation and the Future; Khalil Sabt, Vice President of Production Planning, and Jamal Shaheen Al Hammadi, Vice President of Special Projects.

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