The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the world's largest solar park located on a single site. It operates under the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. The project commenced in 2012 and was finalized over multiple stages. The fifth phase was finished in 2023, and development on the sixth phase is currently ongoing. 

The planned production capacity for the project is 5,000 MW by 2030. It has total investments amounting to AED 50 billion. Once finished, it will reduce more than 6.5 million tons of carbon emissions every year.

At the 2014 MEED Quality Awards, DEWA was named the UAE's best sustainable project of the Year, with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park being a contributing factor. This project will help Dubai achieve its clean energy goals for 2030 and 2050.

Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum Solar Park Project Background 

Dubai has emerged as a global leader in advancing the clean and renewable energy industry. The Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, initiated by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, intends to have 25% of Dubai's power generated from clean energy sources by 2030 and 75% by 2050. Dubai is the sole city in the region to have initiated a promising strategy with specific goals and timetables that outline the energy future till 2050.

The approach comprises five primary pillars: infrastructure, law, money, capacity and skill development, and an environmentally appropriate energy mix. The infrastructure component encompasses projects like the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. This park will assist Dubai in attaining its clean energy objectives. 

Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum Solar Park Scope 

In January 2012, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the launch of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. The Solar Park is the largest single-site solar park in the world, with a planned capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030. The current production capacity of the solar park is 2,627 MW. 

The solar park uses a range of photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies. Besides, it also includes an Innovation Center. It is home to one of the largest Research & Development centers in the region. This includes PV solar and CSP testing facilities and a solar-powered water desalination plant. DEWA is developing the Maktoum solar park in phases. Let us discuss these phases in detail.

Phase 1

The 13MW first phase of the solar park started operating on October 22, 2013. The project utilizes 152,000 photovoltaic cells. They are coupled with 13 step-up transformers in inverter buildings. The voltage output is converted to 33 kilovolts. It produces more than 28 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. The carbon emissions are reduced by 15,000 tonnes each year.

Phase 2

On March 20, 2017, HH Sheikh Mohammed officially opened the 200MW second phase of the solar park. This initiative is the region's inaugural and most extensive endeavor of its sort, operating under the IPP paradigm. It was completed with an investment totaling AED 1.2 billion. Shuaa Energy 1 was created by DEWA. 

A consortium led by ACWA Power and TSK played a crucial role in completing the job efficiently and professionally. The second phase produces renewable energy for 50,000 homes in Dubai. It decreases 214,000 tons of carbon emissions annually. DEWA achieved a world record by securing the lowest price worldwide for the second phase of the solar park, priced at USD 5.6 cents per kilowatt hour during the bidding process.

Phase 3

The 800MW third phase of the solar park, utilizing photovoltaic solar panels, achieved full operational status in 2020. In June 2016 DEWA stated that Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) was chosen as the winning bidder for the 800MW third phase of the solar park. They submitted a bid offering the lowest electricity cost of USD 2.99 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for construction under the IPP model. 

This phase is the first in the Middle East and North Africa to have an innovative solar tracking technology. It boosts generation by 20%-30% compared to fixed installations. The project comprises 3 million modules equipped with cutting-edge photovoltaic technologies. The third phase produces renewable energy for more than 240,000 homes in Dubai. It decreases approximately 1.055 million tons of carbon emissions annually.

Phase 4

The 4th Phase of the solar park combines concentrated solar power (CSP) and photovoltaic technology. It has a capacity of 950 MW and investments totaling AED 15.78 billion under the IPP model. DEWA and ACWA Power established a coalition to establish a project firm named Noor Energy 1. It is responsible for designing, constructing, and managing the facility. DEWA has a majority ownership stake of 51% in the corporation, with ACWA Power holding 25% and the Silk Road Fund owning 24%.

The Phase will utilize three hybrid technologies: 

• 600MW from a parabolic basin complex (three units of 200 MW each)

• 100MW from the world’s highest solar power tower at 262.44 meters (based on Molten Salt technology)

• 250MW from photovoltaic solar panels

Once finished, the project will boast the world's greatest thermal storage capacity of 15 hours. The 4th Phase will generate renewable energy for about 320,000 homes. It will decrease annual carbon emissions by 1.6 million tonnes.

Phase 5

The 900MW 5th Phase of the solar park, utilizing photovoltaic panels, achieved full operational status in June 2023. The fifth phase of the project aims to supply clean energy to about 270,000 households in Dubai. The AED 2 billion project is executed under the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, involving a collaboration between DEWA (60%) and a consortium led by ACWA Power and Gulf Investment Corporation (40%) under Shuaa Energy 3. DEWA set a world record with the lowest bid of USD 1.6953 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the fifth phase.

Phase 6

The sixth Phase has a total capacity of 1800MW. It utilizes photovoltaic solar panels, following the Independent Power Project (IPP) paradigm. The sixth phase will decrease approximately 2.36 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year. It will supply clean energy to 540,000 households in Dubai. DEWA has reached the lowest levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of USD 1.6215 per kilowatt hour (kWh) in phase VI. The 6th phase will be gradually implemented between 2024 and 2026.

Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum Solar Park Location Details 

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park covers 19027.1 acres. It is located in Saih Al-Dahal which is approximately 50 km south of Dubai. It is around 30 kilometers from the intersection of the Dubai-Al Ain Highway and Al Lusaily Road.

Seih Al Dahal is a commune and administrative region located in sector 9 of the city. It is under the control of the Dubai Municipality.

Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum Solar Park Cost 

The total cost of this project is estimated to be AED 50 billion (USD 13.6 billion). Several investors have lent money for the project. These include Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, HSBC, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Standard Chartered Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, and Warba Bank. Regional institutions such as the Union National Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP) have funded parts of the project.

The equity bridge loan for the fourth phase of the solar park is the greatest in the region. It collaborates with several prominent local and international banks. ACWA Power and Gulf Investment Corporation jointly financed USD 70.5 million for the fifth phase of the development of Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.

Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum Solar Park Contractors

Many contractors were involved in the project. Some of the prominent names include:

• First Solar received the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for phase one of the project. It was also accountable for establishing a 33kV substation and connecting it to the DEWA grid.

• ABB was hired by DEWA to incorporate solar energy on the premises to power a 400/132kV gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) substation for the second phase. The company was also in charge of providing power transformers, protection systems, automation systems, control systems, surveillance systems, and communication systems.

• GranSolar, Acciona, and Ghella, in a partnership, were granted the EPC contract for phase three of the project.

Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum Solar Park 2025 Update

In March 2025, DEWA invited international developers to participate in Phase 7, which will have a capacity of 1,600 MW, expandable to 2,000 MW. This phase will feature solar panels and an integrated battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of 1,000 MW for six hours, equating to a storage capacity of 6,000 megawatt-hours. Phase 7 will be one of the largest solar-plus-storage projects globally, and will follow IPP model for implementation.

Benefits of the Project

The solar park has numerous benefits. These include the following,

Environmental

Increasing the usage of natural resources and reducing the carbon footprint will be accomplished through the construction of the solar park.

Social

The solar park aligns with DEWA's dedication to governance, work ethics, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It will also create work possibilities for people and residents by 2020.

Economic

The solar park will enhance cost efficiency and outcomes. It encourages investors to Dubai, promoting sustainable economic growth and diversifying the local supply chain.

Localizing Knowledge

DEWA's mission is to make Dubai a hub of excellence in renewable and sustainable energy. It emphasizes the localization of knowledge in this subject through research, development, and invention. The solar park contains facilities that assist DEWA in this area, including the Research and Development (R&D) Centre and the Innovation Centre.

Conclusion 

The Al Maktoum Solar Park is the largest of its kind worldwide, showcasing remarkable engineering and highlighting human determination and collaboration. The park has become a symbol of Dubai's strong dedication to sustainability, with investments exceeding AED 50 billion. The gradual development, which occurred between 2012 and 2023, demonstrates years of effort and careful planning.

Furthermore, the park's influence reaches well beyond its physical limits. It helps in reducing more than 6.5 million tons of carbon emissions each year. It will lead to a cleaner and healthier future for future generations.

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