Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) has taken a significant step towards achieving the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. The aim is to achieve 100% clean energy production capacity by 2050. DEWA has announced the appointment of a global consortium led by Deloitte as a consultant for the seventh phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
This transformative phase of the project will integrate 1,600 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity with a pioneering 1,000MW battery energy storage system (BESS), making it one of the world's largest solar-plus-storage projects under the independent power producer (IPP) model. Deloitte will play a key role in conducting global investor outreach activities like marketing, road shows, workshops, and training on the IPP concept to foster international partnerships and accelerate Dubai's energy transition.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the world's largest single-site solar park under the IPP model and is crucial to Dubai's goal of sourcing 100% of its energy from clean sources by 2050. The project's strategic roadmap aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) to solidify the Emirate's position as a top-tier sustainable economy.
Upon completion, the solar park's total capacity will surpass the original 5,000MW target, reinforcing the UAE's role as a global hub for renewable energy innovation. The project is expected to attract significant foreign investment, create high-skilled jobs, and drive technological advancement in the GCC's renewable energy sector.
The consortium led by Deloitte will provide comprehensive guidance to ensure the project's alignment with national priorities, UAE regulatory compliance, IPP tender documents and design, tender submissions management, commercial negotiations, financial structuring, finalization of power purchase agreements (PPAs), and financial closure. The phased commissioning is planned between 2027 and 2029, positioning DEWA to surpass its original 5,000MW target by 2030 well ahead of schedule.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, highlighted the significance of the project, stating that the seventh phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is a testament to the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The project aims to fast-track Dubai's transformation into a carbon-neutral economy by integrating a 1,000MW battery energy storage system to enhance renewable energy usage and provide dispatchable clean power for ensuring Dubai's energy resilience. The combination of solar PV with battery storage not only addresses solar energy intermittency but also sets a replicable model for sustainable power systems worldwide.
