Dubai readies for 1,000MW Solar Park; first 10MW phase expected by 2013

Jan. 10, 2012 - Syanne Olson - pv-tech.org

The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will be operated by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.

According to a report by Gulf News, Prime Minister and VP of the UAE His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, advised the start of a Dh12 billion solar project, which upon completion will produce 1,000MW of solar power. The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will be operated by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority with the first phase of the project, 10MW of solar power, slated to be completed by 2013.

Country officials advised that the first 10MW project will cost Dh120 million and will go towards the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030. With its initiative, the government is looking to bring different sources of energy into play and has set a renewable energy target of 1% by 2020, 5% by 2030, with most of the energy coming from solar installations.