Hajra Naz
Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VP, state head of the United Arab Emirates, and leader of Dubai, has opened the fifth period of the solar park that bears his name.
With a capacity of 900 megawatts (MW), it is known as the largest single-site solar park and its fifth phase would supply sustainable energy to almost 270,000 residences in Dubai. The goal of the fifth phase is to provide Dubai with 5,000 MW of power by 2030.
The construction of the fifth phase cost AED 2 billion ($540 million). It adheres to the Independent Power Producer (IPP) paradigm and will result in a 1.18 million tonne yearly reduction in carbon emissions. It is anticipated that the entire MBR Solar Park, which will cost AED 50 billion ($13.6 billion), will reduce 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year once it is completely operational.
The fifth phase employs the most recent solar photovoltaic bifacial technologies with Single Axis Tracking to maximize energy production and efficiency.
A consortium led by ACWA Power and Gulf Investment Corporation and DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority), which holds a 60 percent share in the project, each have a 40 percent stake through Shuaa Energy 3.
It is important to note that DEWA achieved a world record by receiving the lowest bid for the fifth phase, which was $1.6953 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh).
The solar park’s total commissioned capacity is currently 2,427 MW with the addition of the new fifth phase. It consolidates concentrated solar power (CSP) and photovoltaic sunlight-powered chargers. Subsequently, renewable energy currently makes up around 16.3% of Dubai’s all-out introduced limit, or 14,917 MW, as far as its energy mix.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the Managing Director and CEO of DEWA welcomed Sheikh Mohammed to the solar park.
The fifth phase’s usage of artificial intelligence (AI) in a sophisticated robotic cleaning system for the operation and maintenance of photovoltaic panels is an intriguing aspect. Half as large as the third phase, the fifth phase produces 800 MW and spans an area of about 10 square kilometers.
