Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is close to completing a pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant project in Hatta, with the facility being 94.15% finished and generator installations currently in progress. The goal of the project is to diversify energy production in Dubai by utilizing renewable and clean sources.
The plant, set to be operational in the first quarter of 2025, will store clean power generated at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. It will have a production capacity of 250 megawatts, a storage capacity of 1,500 megawatt-hours, and a projected lifespan of up to 80 years. The facility will operate as an energy storage plant with a turnaround efficiency of 78.9%.
The filling of the plant's upper dam has been completed, comprising a 72-metre-high main wall and a 37-metre-high side dam. The stored water in the upper dam will be converted into kinetic energy as it flows through a 1.2-kilometre subterranean tunnel, turning turbines and producing electrical energy that can be delivered to DEWA's grid within 90 seconds to meet demand.
DEWA's project also focuses on using various technologies such as solar photovoltaic panels, concentrated solar power, and green hydrogen production from renewable sources. This initiative aligns with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. The completion of the project is scheduled by the end of the second quarter of 2025, marking a crucial step in the sustainable development of Hatta.
Moreover, the hydroelectric power plant endeavor serves as an innovative approach to job creation for Emiratis and showcases DEWA's dedication to enhancing the region's energy infrastructure. Representing an investment of AED 1.421 billion, this project stands as the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf region and contributes significantly to the broader energy sustainability goals of Dubai.
