Solar Park's third phase set to roll

Abu Dhabi - The 800MW third phase will be constructed based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Sunday, witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, and Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, on the implementation of the 800-megawatt (MW) third phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
The MoU signing took place at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi and was attended by Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
The 800MW third phase will be constructed based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. The selected bidder for the project is a Masdar-led consortium that includes Spanish companies FRV (Fotowatio Renewable Ventures) and Gransolar Group.
"Masdar is proud to have been chosen to develop the third phase of the largest single-site solar park in the world. The significant scale and competitive cost of this project are a clear signal that solar energy is a reliable and commercially viable technology," said Dr. Al Jaber.
"Today's signing illustrates the UAE leadership's clear commitment to diversifying its energy sources and promoting the widespread adoption of renewable energy by cost-effectively scaling up solar power. It also underlines the UAE's firm belief that all sources of energy are needed to meet the world's growing demand for energy."
Saeed Al Tayer said: "In line with the directives of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid; and His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, we have taken further steps to achieve our goals for solar energy by signing the agreement with the selected bidder led by Masdar. The park supports the goal of UAE Vision 2021 to transform the UAE into one of the greatest countries in the world by 2021. It is the largest single-site solar park in the world, and will produce 5,000MW by 2030 with a total investment of Dh50 billion." - Wam

• UAE