Harbin Electric and GE to develop first phase of Hassyan coal power project in Dubai

Harbin Electric International and General Electric (GE) have received an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the first phase of the proposed Hassyan clean coal power project.

The contract has been awarded by Hassyan Energy Company, a joint venture between Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) with 51% stake and ACWA Power Harbin with 49%.

The EPC deal follows the signing of 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) between by DEWA with ACWA Power. The PPA will see the implementation of the first 2,400MW phase of the project, which will use clean coal to produce electricity.

The first phase of the project involves development of four units, each with 600MW capacity. The second, third and fourth units are planned to enter service in March 2021, March 2022 and March 2023, respectively.

DEWA CEO Saeed Al Tayer said: "Hassyan will utilize the latest global clean coal technologies, such as the ultra-supercritical technology, and the latest environmental standards."

Planned to be developed on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis, the Hassyan power project will use the independent power producer (IPP) procurement model.

Scheduled to enter service in March 2020, the project is expected to contribute to the Dubai’s CleanEnergy Strategy 2050, which aims to generate 25% solar energy, 7% nuclear energy, 7% clean coal, and 61% natural gas by 2030.

GE Steam Power Systems president and CEO Andreas Lusch said: "The Hassyan Clean Coal IPP is a flagship project that highlights the focus of the UAE government and DEWA to diversify the region’s energy mix in a clean and sustainable way.

"Along with our partners, GE is proud to celebrate this significant milestone in a project that will showcase our highly efficient ultra-supercritical coal technology to help meet Dubai’s growing demand for efficient and reliable power, at very competitive costs, while keeping an exceptionally low environmental footprint."

The project’s second phase with 1,200MW capacity includes installation of two 600MW units featuring ultra-supercritical technology.