DEWA receives delegation from Bureau International des Expositions at Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park

Dubai – MENA Herald: Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), headed a high-level delegation from BIE during a visit to the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The delegation included Ahmed Al Khatib, Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). The fact-finding mission included DEWA’s infrastructure projects and the Solar Park. The delegation visited the 13 megawatt (MW) solar plant, and the solar testing facility. The delegation was received by Jamal Shaheen Al Hammadi, Vice President of Special Projects at DEWA, and Dr. Pedro Banda, Research & Development Manager at DEWA.
“DEWA supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, to provide 75% of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy by 2050. This will make Dubai’s carbon footprint the lowest in the world. Most prominent of DEWA’s projects is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park and the Shams Dubai initiative to encourage building owners to install photovoltaic panels to generate electricity from solar power and connect it to DEWA’s grid. DEWA has also budgeted for Research and Development (R&D), and innovation in renewable energy. All these will promote sustainable development in the UAE. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park will provide a dedicated supply of 100MW to Dubai Expo 2020, to manage its energy requirements,” said Al Tayer.
“To emphasise its commitment to sustainability, which is one of the main pillars of World Expo 2020 in Dubai, DEWA is focusing on establishing an excellent energy infrastructure that meets the Emirate’s development needs. DEWA has launched a wide variety of initiatives to support this, allocating over AED2.6 billion to boost electricity, water, and renewable energy projects, to the highest international standards. This contributes to the organisation of the World Expo 2020 in Dubai, which will display to the world our excellent public services, and focus on exploring clean and renewable energy,” added Al Tayer.
“DEWA is contributing to the development of all Expo 2020 facilities and services through its smart initiatives. DEWA has assigned part of the budget to support our leadership's drive to promote initiatives in smart services to make Dubai the smartest city in the world, in line with the Smart Dubai initiative launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. DEWA is one of the leading government organisations in the adoption and launch of smart initiatives and services,” continued Al Tayer.
“DEWA is building three 132/11 kilovolt (kV) substations with 45 kilometres (km) of high-voltage (132kV) cables. The total cost of the electricity projects will be AED420 million. DEWA is also building water transmission networks with pipelines that are 600 and 1,200 mm in diameter, pumping stations and distribution stations. With a planned budget of AED515 million, these projects will increase water-flow rates and ensure an adequate water supply to meet the increasing demands. The construction progress of the 132/11kV substations supports Dubai Expo’s theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and its three sub-themes of Sustainability, Mobility and Opportunity. The substations will all be ready by 2017. Mobility will be operational by March, Sustainability by October and Opportunity by December.
“Through this visit, we aim to highlight the UAE’s progress in regard to renewable energy. We want to highlight our progress in a realistic situation,” said Najeeb Mohammed Al Ali, Senior Vice President of the Unified Project Management Office, Expo 2020.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is a key factor in achieving the Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to build a green economy in the UAE. The solar park offers plenty of promising investment opportunities that strengthen energy partnerships and investments between the public and private sectors, as the future phases of the Solar Park will produce renewable energy based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated the first project of the park on 22 October 2013. This will produce 13MW of energy through photovoltaic technology. HH also launched the second phase of the solar park, with partnerships and investments between the public and private sectors, based on the IPP model, it will produce a total capacity of 200MW, and will become operational by 2017.
The Innovation Centre will act as a museum and exhibition for solar and renewable energy. It will attract tourists, universities, schools, companies, and partners. It will be open to solar energy manufacturers and developers as it has a specialised place and permanent convention centre for events and conferences, business meetings, training and meetings on subjects related to solar and renewable energy, and other green initiatives. The building is 4,000 square metres, and 90 metres high, and consists of 4 floors and the ground floor, The Centre will be built by 2017. The Innovation Centre aims to enhance Emirati capabilities in energy, improve Dubai’s competitiveness, develop renewable energy technologies, and support its development in the region as a whole. It also spreads awareness on climate change, sustainable development, and informs people about solar energy through interactive shows and educational tours for visitors.
The Research and Development Centre conducts studies for industrial and social requirements, scientific research, provide a common platform for researchers, academics and developers, and devise strategies for innovative and productive ideas. We have two testing facilities, one for photovoltaic solar testing and the other for concentrated solar power. The Testing Facility studies and evaluates the performance, long-term stability and reliability of over 30 types of photovoltaic panels, using the most sophisticated and accurate equipment. The highest standards and techniques of testing, controlling, monitoring, evaluating and reporting will be applied. The centre tests solar cell technologies and photovoltaic panel technologies and manufacturing for greater flexibility.
This centre will also assess other aspects to cope with various weather conditions and the surrounding environment both when photovoltaic panels are used in open spaces or integrated into buildings.