Dubai's quantum leap: Sheikh Mohammed inaugurates world’s largest solar park

In a historic moment for sustainability, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, unveiled the world's largest concentrated solar power project.

Nestled within the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai, this solar initiative is a testament to Dubai's commitment to combating climate change and aligning with the goals of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), which was held in Expo City.

Now, with Dubai taking centre stage with all things sustainability and innovation, this new initiative is nothing short of something residents had expected, but wait, we haven’t seen anything yet, so let us break it down…

Key highlights:

1. Unprecedented scale: The fourth phase boasts a staggering 950-megawatt (MW) capacity, making it the largest investment project of its kind globally.

2. Technological marvel: Breaking records on records, this project features the tallest solar tower globally, reaching an awe-inspiring height of 263.126 metres. It also claims the title of the largest thermal energy storage capacity, standing at 5,907 megawatt hours (MWh), securing a place in the Guinness World Records!

3. Eco-friendly impact: This project is designed to provide clean and sustainable energy to approximately 320,000 residences, significantly reducing carbon emissions by about 1.6 million tonnes annually!

This marks a substantial step toward Dubai's goal of becoming a leading global hub in clean, renewable energy, and also comes in line with the Dubai Urban Masterplan for 2040.

Sheikh Mohammed's vision:

Sheikh Mohammed emphasised the UAE's vision to transform into one of the world's most sustainable nations. He stated, "Our journey towards sustainability is comprehensive, encompassing advanced clean energy projects across diverse renewable sources, and innovative solutions integrated into various spheres of the economy and society."

He further noted that the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park plays a pivotal role in Dubai and the UAE's commitment to creating a world-class infrastructure for sustainability, shaping an environmentally friendly future.

The project, developed with an investment of AED 15.78 billion under the independent power producer (IPP) model, showcases a successful partnership between DEWA, ACWA Power, and the Silk Road Fund. Sheikh Mohammed acknowledged the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, in reinforcing the nation's commitment to environmental sustainability.

Global recognition:

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), highlighted Dubai's achievements in achieving the lowest global prices for solar energy projects. He shared that the fourth phase sets new standards of excellence globally, featuring the tallest CSP tower, the largest single-site thermal energy storage, and the lowest cost for round-the-clock renewable energy production.

A sustainable tomorrow:

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park's fourth phase marks a significant milestone, not only in Dubai's journey toward sustainability but also as a beacon of inspiration for the global transition to clean energy.

Impressive, right?

Want to know more about Dubai’s sustainable initiatives? Take a read at our recent blog here.

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