Hatta hydro plant begins trial operations + exporting power to Dubai

Trial operations at Hatta hydroelectric power plant: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has begun trial operations and exports of electricity from its 250 MW pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Hatta to Dubai, according to a statement. During the testing phase, the station generated more than 17.9 GWh of electricity.

Background: The AED 1.4 bn project, which is in its final stages of development, will have a storage capacity of 1.5 GWh and an expected lifespan of 80 years. Hatta’s peak demand stands at about 39 MW, so surplus capacity from the plant will be exported to Dubai. The project was originally set to begin clean energy exports to Dubai last April.

The facility is built around the Hatta Dam and a newly constructed upper dam, with a turnaround efficiency of 78.9%. Electricity is generated by releasing water stored in the upper dam through a 1.2 km subterranean tunnel, rotating turbines to produce power. The plant can connect to Dewa’s grid within 90 seconds when demand spikes. Clean energy from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will be used to pump water back to the upper dam.

SOUND SMART- The pumped-storage system works by converting the potential energy of water into kinetic energy as it flows downhill, turning turbines to generate mechanical energy before converting it into electricity. When demand is low, electricity is used to pump the water back uphill, effectively creating a closed-loop storage system.