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UAE is planning another around-the-clock mega solar facility: Dubai is planning to build the seventh phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park to include 1.6 GW of solar photovoltaic capacity with 1 GW battery energy storage system (BESS), according to a statement on Wednesday. Dewa has yet to select a developer for the facility, which is planned to be commissioned between 2027 and 2029, the statement added.
Consulting consortium appointed: Dewa appointed a Deloitte-led consortium as the consultant for the project, which will handle the tender documents, design, submissions management, commercial negotiations, financial structuring, and power purchase agreements, as well as reaching financial close. The consortium will also be responsible for marketing and investor outreach.
REMEMBER- Abu Dhabi moved on this feat first: Masdar and Emirates Water and Electricity Company will develop a USD 6 bn, 5.2 GW solar project that will be linked to a 19 GWh BESS, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world. The mega project will produce 1 GW of uninterrupted baseload clean power daily on 90 sq km of land in the Abu Dhabi desert, with financing planned through debt facilities and equity. The project is set for 2027 completion.
The UAE has big renewables goals: The UAE is aiming to achieve net zero by 2050 with renewables making up a 30% share of its electricity mix by 2030. The country is now seeing “probably the highest demand” for energy as the economy continues to grow and is expected to get one or two large-scale solar projects every year until 2030. The UAE currently generates around 6 GW of renewable energy and targets to increase this to at least 15 GW by 2030.
OTHER SOLAR UPDATES ELSEWHERE-
#1- Acwa’s Shuaiba 2 solar plant to start commercial operations: An Acwa Power-led consortium has received the commercial operation certificate from the Saudi Power Procurement Company for the first, second, and third phases of its 2.1 GW Shuaiba 2 Solar PV plant in Saudi, according to a disclosure issued Thursday. The project is now fully operational.
What we know: The project will have two stations with 2.6 GW total capacity and is being developed by Saudi Aramco, PIF subsidiary Badil, and Acwa. It is set to be the largest solar PV plant in Saudi Arabia with a value of SAR 8.3 bn (c.USD 2.2 bn) and will be able to power 450k homes.
REMEMBER- Acwa began commercial operations for the 600 MW Shuaiba 1 after receiving commercial operation certificates back in November.
#2- Nama receives four bids for Ibri solar project: Oman’s Nama Power and Water Procurement Company has received four bids for the development of the 500 MW Ibri III Solar IPP in Al Dhahirah, according to a statement released on Monday. Bidders include a consortium composed of Masdar, Korea Midland Power, and Al Khadra Partners, an Acwa-TotalEnergies consortium, and an alliance consisting of EDF Renewables and Korean Western Power, and an independent proposal from Singapore’s Sembcorp Utilities. Operations are expected to begin in 1Q 2027.
About the project: Nama prequalified nine international companies or consortiums for the development of the project in June 2024. Ibri III has an investment value of OMR 155 mn (c. USD 402.7 mn) and is expected to generate 1.5 TWh of renewable energy annually and reduce CO2 emission by 505k tons per annum at full capacity.
