The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) will launch concentrated solar power (CSP) projects that will generate 1GW by 2030.
DEWA plans to construct the largest CSP project in the world, using the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model.
The authority released a tender for international CSP consultants to submit their proposals for advisory services for the 200MW initial project of the CSP plant.
It is expected to start operations by April 2021. DEWA will generate 1GW using this technology by 2030 in the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park.
It will generate 1,000MW by 2020 and 5,000MW by 2030. The 13MW first phase became operational in October 2013, and the 200MW second phase will be operational in April 2017.
After completion, the project will reduce about 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
The CSP project is expected to contribute to the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to generate 7% of its total power from renewable sources by 2020, 25% by 2030 and 75% by 2050.
DEWA MD and CEO HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer said: "An important advantage of CSP is that thermal heat, which is used to produce electricity, can be stored easily, which makes it possible to produce electricity after sunset.
"The plant will have several thousand heliostats located around a tower that receives the radiation reflected by the heliostats which follow the sun’s movement. The heat-transfer fluid is then used to power the steam turbine to generate electricity.
"This in turn, provides sustainable world-class energy supply, in terms of availability and reliability, for everyone, and supports the sustainable development of the Emirate. It will contribute to the happiness of society to making Dubai the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world by 2050."
Image: The announcement was made in a press conference attended by Executive Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents and senior officials at DEWA, and local and international media. Photo: Courtesy of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.