Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, launched the largest concentrated solar energy project in the world, within the fourth phase of the “Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park” in Dubai, in a Saudi-Chinese partnership.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said during the inauguration ceremony: “The UAE adopts a clear vision and specific goals to transform into one of the most sustainable countries in the world, which is evident in its launch of qualitative projects for clean and renewable energy with innovative solutions that integrate them into various economic fields… and the solar energy complex reflects our commitment.” “By establishing world-class infrastructure that achieves sustainability goals and lays solid foundations for an environmentally friendly future,” according to what was reported by the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
The launch of the fourth phase of the complex comes within Dubai’s achievements in the Year of Sustainability, and within the framework of its keenness to launch projects that support the climate, and in line with the goals of the Strategic Initiative for Climate Neutrality 2050, and in keeping with the increased reliance on the sustainable energy mix and the expansion of the adoption of renewable and alternative energy sources. “In a way that supports the country’s comprehensive development goals, and contributes to strengthening global efforts aimed at combating the repercussions of climate change.”
The fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Energy Park, whose production capacity will reach 950 megawatts, is the largest investment project that uses three common technologies to produce clean energy, including a parabolic inverter system with a total capacity of 600 megawatts, and a concentrated solar energy tower with a capacity of 100 megawatts. Watt, in addition to photovoltaic solar panels with a capacity of 250 megawatts, with investments amounting to 15.78 billion dirhams according to the independent energy product system.
The project includes the highest concentrated solar energy tower in the world, with a height of 263,126 meters, and the largest thermal energy storage capacity with a capacity of 5,907 megawatts per hour, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
Speaking about the project, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, explained that the fourth phase of the complex extends over a total area of 44 square kilometers, and the project uses 70,000 mirrors (heliostats) that track the movement of the sun.