A new report released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in partnership with the COP30 Brazilian Presidency and the Global Renewables Alliance, confirms that global renewable energy capacity rose to an unprecedented 582GW in 2024, with solar power contributing 452GW. The development marks a significant step toward meeting the UAE Consensus target set at COP28 in Dubai, which calls for tripling global renewable capacity to 11.2TW by 2030. To stay on track, the report notes that the world must add 1,122GW of renewables each year through the end of the decade.
Amid this global acceleration, the UAE continues to position itself as a leader in clean energy, driven by large-scale projects that showcase innovation and sustainable development. Central to this effort is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, launched in 2012 under the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and developed by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). The solar park’s current production capacity has reached 3,860MW, and its total capacity is now projected to exceed 8,000MW by 2030—a significant increase from the original 5,000MW plan.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, said the project reflects the vision of the UAE leadership to reinforce the country’s standing in the global clean energy landscape.
“The solar park is a global model for sustainable infrastructure and for shaping the future of the energy sector,” he said. “Clean energy now accounts for 21.5% of DEWA’s total capacity, and this will rise to 36% by 2030, compared to the original 25% target. The solar park will help reduce more than 8.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.”
Al Tayer highlighted that the project supports national strategies including the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, all of which aim for 100% clean energy production in Dubai by mid-century. He added that DEWA’s use of the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model and advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence has doubled photovoltaic panel efficiency—from 11% to 24%—enabling higher output without requiring additional land.
A Hub for Innovation and Global-Scale Projects
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park has become a comprehensive innovation platform, serving as a real-world testing ground for emerging technologies in renewable energy. DEWA has completed five phases of the project and is currently implementing the sixth. The utility has also invited qualified developers to submit proposals for the seventh phase, which will add 2,000MW of photovoltaic capacity and incorporate a 1,400MW battery energy storage system with a six-hour duration—one of the world’s largest solar-plus-storage installations.
Setting Global Benchmarks
The solar park’s 950MW fourth phase, which includes 700MW of concentrated solar power (CSP) and 250MW of PV capacity, has earned four Guinness World Records. These include:
- Highest-capacity single-site CSP plant (700MW)
- Tallest CSP tower (263.126 metres)
- Largest thermal energy storage facility (5,907MWh)
- Longest continuous CSP plant operation (39 days)
These milestones underscore the UAE’s expanding influence in the renewable energy sector and its role in advancing the global transition to clean power.
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