DEWA checks progress on Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum Solar Park’s R and D Centre

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), has visited the construction site of the Research and Development Centre being built at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Seih Al Dahal in Dubai.
The Centre has a planned total cost of Dh12 billion and will produce 1,000 MW of electricity on completion.
The visit is one of a series of field visits by Mr. Al Tayer to evaluate the progress of projects undertaken by DEWA. Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development was also accompanying him.
The project supports the Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative launched by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the directions of His Highness to enhance the research and development sector and promote Dubai as a role model in achieving the highest standards of energy efficiency and renewable energy as per the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030.
The Strategy aims to diversify the energy mix to include solar power to generate 5 percent of Dubai's total energy output by 2030.
MD and CEO of DEWA who was briefed on different techniques used in producing electricity through solar power, reviewed models presented by global corporations that show the latest technologies in generating electricity from solar energy. Al Tayer also inspected a new technology to generate 120kV solar power using Stirling Dish, the first technology of its kind to be tested in the Middle East.
He expressed his satisfaction about the progress of work in the Park, which includes Research, Development, and Innovation, and a solar-energy test facility, which analyses and evaluates the performance of various power generation technologies such as PV laminates, concentrated solar power, and other innovative solar technologies including energy storage techniques.
Al Tayer emphasised the importance of adhering to health and safety in all aspects of work to achieve DEWA's strategy to ensure the highest health and safety standards across all its projects.
The first project of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is a 13MW plant that went live last October. The second project will have a production capacity of 100MW and will be based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model.
The first project of the Solar Park uses photovoltaic technology and is the biggest of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa. It uses pioneering technologies represented by over 152,000 photocells connected to 13 step-up transformers in inverter buildings.
"To support innovation and excellence in DEWA's projects and operations, and in line with the directives of Sheikh Mohammed to establish the U.A.E. among the most innovative in the world and make innovation a key element in daily government work, and an organisational culture, we adopt innovation and creative ideas in our projects.
The R&D and Innovation centres at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park help to promote knowledge in the energy sector and the innovative sustainability techniques. They also support DEWA's sustainability plans, develop its global capacity in the area of renewable energy, in addition to building national capabilities," added Al Tayer.
"The Innovation Centre has a unique design that follows the highest standards related to environment and green buildings. It will help educate future generations about DEWA's achievements and pioneering projects. It houses a museum where renewable energy technologies are showcased in interactive ways. Visitors can learn about the most important solutions and technologies in renewable energy through audio and video presentations. It is scheduled to be completed by end of this year," he concluded.