The Middle East is a region that is rich in solar resources, but has been slow to develop its potential in this area. However, that is starting to change, thanks in large part to the work of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). DEWA is working to transform the solar energy landscape in the Middle East, and is already having a major impact.
What is DEWA?
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is a government-owned utility company in the United Arab Emirates. DEWA is responsible for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity and water in the Emirate of Dubai. The company was founded in 1992, and is headquartered in Dubai.
DEWA has been a pioneer in the development of renewable energy in the UAE, and is currently working to increase the share of renewables in the country’s energy mix. In 2015, DEWA launched the Shams Dubai initiative, which aims to install 1 gigawatt (GW) of photovoltaic (PV) capacity on rooftops across Dubai by 2030. DEWA also operates the world’s largest single-site solar park, located in Seih Al-Dahal, which has a capacity of 1 GW.
In 2017, DEWA announced plans to build a 200 MW wind farm in Seih Al-Dahal, as well as a 700 MW solar park in Mohammad bin Rashid City. These projects are part of DEWA’s goal to have 7% of its power generation come from renewable sources by 2020, and 15% by 2030.
DEWA’s commitment to cleanenergy is part of the Dubai Plan 2021, which calls for the Emirate to become a global leader in sustainable development.
How has DEWA transformed the solar energy landscape in the Middle East?
Since its establishment in 2009, DEWA has been at the forefront of the solar energy revolution in the Middle East. The company has developed a number of innovative initiatives that have transformed the way solar energy is used in the region.
DEWAโs Solar Park is the largest single-site solar park in the world, with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts (MW). The park covers an area of 4.5 square kilometres (km2) and is located in Seih Al-Dahal, Dubai. The park includes a 200MW photovoltaic (PV) plant, which started operations in 2013, and a 900MW Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant, which started operations in 2015.
The CSP plant uses parabolic trough technology to generate power from the sunโs heat. It is the first commercial CSP plant in the Middle East and North Africa region. The PV plant uses photovoltaic panels to generate power from the sunโs light.
The Solar Park has helped Dubai achieve its goal of generating 7% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. It is also part of DEWAโs goal to generate 75%
Recent solar initiatives by DEWA
As the global energy landscape continues to evolve, Dubai is leading the way in solar energy transformation. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is spearheading several initiatives to increase the use of renewable energy in the emirate, with a particular focus on solar power.
One of DEWAโs most ambitious projects is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which aims to generate 5,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity by 2030. The park currently has a capacity of 1,013 MW, making it the largest single-site solar park in the world.
In addition to the solar park, DEWA has also launched a number of other initiatives to promote solar energy use in Dubai. The Shams Dubai scheme offers incentives for building owners who install solar panels on their rooftops, while the Green Charge program provides discounts on electricity bills for customers who install EV charging stations at their homes or businesses.
With these initiatives, DEWA is well on its way to achieving its goal of supplying 25% of Dubaiโs total power needs from renewable sources by 2030. In doing so, Dubai is not only reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, but also setting an example
Recent solar tenders issued by DEWA
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has been working to increase the use of solar energy in the Emirate. In line with the Dubai Plan 2021 and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, DEWA has set a target to increase the share of renewable energy in Dubai’s total power output to 75 percent by 2030.
One way DEWA is working to achieve this goal is by issuing tenders for solar projects. In March 2019, DEWA issued a tender for a 200 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. This was the third phase of the park, which is currently the world’s largest single-site solar park.
In October 2019, DEWA issued a tender for a 1,000 MW PV solar power plant. This plant will be located at Al-Lusail City, north of Qatar. The project is part of DEWA’s commitment to increase the use of renewable energy and diversify Dubai’s energy mix.
These solar tenders are part of DEWA’s larger efforts to increase the use of renewable energy in Dubai. By issuing these tenders, DEWA is playing a key role in helping Dubai achieve its renewable energy goals.
Conclusion
In just a few years, DEWA has transformed the solar energy landscape in the Middle East. What started as a small pilot project has grown into one of the largest and most successful solar energy initiatives in the world. Today, DEWA is a leading example of how renewable energy can be used to power entire cities and communities. We hope that other organizations will follow DEWA’s lead and continue to invest in clean, renewable energy sources.
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