Guide to Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park
In recent years, clean energy production has been a key priority for the UAE as it addresses climate change and boosts sustainable growth. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, or Dubai Solar Park, is an initiative that highlights the UAE’s commitment to sustainability. Let’s explore this unique facility and its achievements!
ABOUT THE MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM SOLAR PARK
In 2012, the UAE launched the Green Economy initiative for sustainable developments to make the country a global leader in the green economy, products and technologies. The establishment of the DEWA Solar Park in Dubai was in line with this initiative and is part of the major sustainable development projects across the UAE.
The Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 aims to achieve an energy mix largely based on renewable energy sources in the UAE. The goal is to have 75% of the emirate’s energy come from clean sources by the year 2050, which amounts to about 42,000 MW (megawatts).
HOW DOES THE MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM SOLAR PARK CONTRIBUTE TO THIS STRATEGY?
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MBR) Solar Park is one of the main pillars of this new-age strategy. It was launched in 2012 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai. The development of the solar park will further boost Dubai’s status as a global leader in the clean and renewable energy sector.
The Dubai Solar Plant is the world’s largest single-site solar energy project, based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. It has been implemented by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).
The Dubai Solar Park, which will cost AED 50 billion to build, is expected to produce around 5,000 MW by 2030. When complete, the MBR Solar Park is expected to reduce 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM SOLAR PARK PHASES: POWERING DUBAI’S SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Dubai’s commitment to renewable energy shines bright through the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. This MAGNIFICENT project is transforming the emirate’s energy landscape, phase by phase. Let’s explore the IMPRESSIVE journey of this solar powerhouse!
PHASE 1: THE PIONEER
- Capacity: 13MW
- Technology: Photovoltaic (PV) panels
- Operational since: October 2013
- Environmental impact: Slashes 15,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually
PHASE 2: SCALING UP
- Capacity: 200MW
- Technology: PV panels
- Fully operational: March 2017
- Environmental impact: Cuts a whopping 214,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year
PHASE 3: THE GAME-CHANGER
- Capacity: 800MW
- Technology: PV panels
- Fully operational: April 2020
- Environmental impact: DRAMATICALLY reduces 1.055 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually
PHASE 4: INNOVATION UNLEASHED
- Capacity: 950MW
- Technology: Cutting-edge combination of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and PV panels
- Fully operational: December 2023
- Environmental impact: An INCREDIBLE 1.6 million tonnes of carbon emissions slashed each year
PHASE 5: PUSHING BOUNDARIES
- Capacity: 900MW
- Technology: PV panels
- Fully operational: June 2023
- Environmental impact: Impressive 1.18 million tonnes of carbon emissions reduced annually
PHASE 6: THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT
- Planned capacity: 1,800MW
- Technology: PV panels
- Operational timeline: Staged implementation between 2024 and 2026
- Expected environmental impact: Will prevent a STAGGERING 2.36 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is a testament to Dubai’s vision for a sustainable future. With each phase, the emirate takes a giant leap towards clean energy production, significantly reducing its carbon footprint. This WORLD-CLASS facility powers homes and businesses and positions Dubai as a global leader in renewable energy innovation.
As we look to the future, the completion of Phase 6 will mark another MILESTONE in Dubai’s journey towards a greener tomorrow. The Solar Park is a shining example of how ambition, technology and commitment can come together to create a more sustainable world for future generations.
OTHER PROJECTS AT MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM SOLAR PARK
The Dubai Solar Park has a water desalination plant and a Research and Development Centre.
DUBAI SOLAR PARK DESALINATION PLANT
The water desalination plant is powered by solar energy and uses Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology. The production capacity is 50 cubic metres, which is around 11,000 gallons a day. The UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia) partners in this innovative project to provide clean water to the needy in other countries through various initiatives.
SUSTAINABILITY AND INNOVATION CENTRE
The Sustainability and Innovation Centre at Dubai Solar Plant has various labs, workshops and testing facilities.
Dubai Solar Park’s Innovation Centre focuses on the development of the following four areas:
- Electricity production from solar power and other clean energy technologies
- Integration of smart grids
- Energy efficiency
- Water
In a short period of time, the Innovation Centre has made some landmark achievements.
- Achieved LEED Platinum status, scoring 101 out of 110 in the first quarter of the year 2020.
- The sole government building globally to achieve greater than 100 points in the new construction section. This was achieved thanks to high marks in indoor environmental quality, energy efficiency, water efficiency, innovation and design.
- Top score globally for a public assembly building in the new construction section.
- The largest and first government centre to receive the ‘Done by Youth’ seal from the Federal Youth Authority.
Visiting the Dubai Solar Park
You can visit the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park to see this truly breathtaking feat of engineering with your own eyes and to learn more about the project.
Timings:
The park is open from 09:00 am to 04:00 pm, Saturday to Wednesday, with the last entry at 02:30 pm. On Thursdays, the timings are from 09:00 am to 12:00 noon, with the last entry at 10:30 am.
It’s closed to visitors on Fridays and public holidays. Make sure to book your visit before 02:30 pm since that is the last visiting slot of the day.
Ticket prices:
The admission fee for adults is AED 50 and AED 30 for students and children above 3 years old. A visit to the Dubai Solar Park is free of charge for People of Determination. For the Hologram Show and Metaverse Experience, you must pay an extra AED 30 each.
A tour of the facility includes a visit to the auditorium, where you will be shown an introductory video briefing you on the mission of the solar park. After that, you will be taken on a tour of the MBR Solar Park Dubai Exhibit Area with plenty of zones full of information to explore, such as:
- A journey through history
- Light properties
- Solar properties
- The future of energy
- Hologram show
- Metaverse experience
Please make sure you follow the facility’s rules when you visit. Pets and smoking are not allowed at Dubai Solar Park. It’s also necessary to dress appropriately. You can find all the details about visiting Al Maktoum Solar Park Dubai’s official website.
FAQS ABOUT DUBAI SOLAR PARK
HOW WILL DUBAI SOLAR PARK HELP CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN THE UAE?
The Dubai Solar Park project will contribute in three main ways, the first of which is the environmental factor. By generating energy using natural resources, dependency on carbon will be significantly reduced. This will help make this city a healthy and safe place to live. The project also supports the government’s social initiatives. All projects adhere to the good governance model and work ethics guidelines.
Lastly, the economic benefits are substantial. Many people are already employed in the energy sector, and the number rises with each project. Furthermore, businesses in the region will undoubtedly benefit from reduced energy costs. This means that Dubai is supporting the global effort to attain a sustainable growth model, and MBR Solar Park Dubai is playing a big role in it.
WHAT ARE THE OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES THAT DUBAI SOLAR PARK FACES?
The Dubai landscape presents management with its own set of challenges. Dust accumulation on modules can adversely impact power generation capacity. To combat this, panel coating is applied to the modules.
In the long run, temperature fluctuations could speed up the degradation process of photovoltaics. During summers, Dubai sees temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius and as low as 15 degrees Celsius at night, which can increase the cost of the project. Hence, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park staff in Dubai faces many challenges.
WHERE IS THE SOLAR PARK DUBAI LOCATION?
Dubai Solar Park location is Saih Al-Dahal region, around 50 km south of central Dubai.
In the past few years, there has been a push from the government to move towards cleaner energy sources for residential homes, too. Now, Dubai residents can become more sustainable by powering their homes with solar energy with the Shams project by DEWA. Similarly, DEWA has also opened up electric car charging stations to encourage the use of such vehicles in the emirate.
All these projects are in line with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 and the best thing is that many businesses and real estate developers are also jumping on the bandwagon. There are many eco-friendly neighbourhoods in Dubai. Sustainable City Dubai is one of the leading examples.
Featured Image Credits: Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park’s official website
