Dubai connects another portion of 5-GW solar project to grid

The first unit of the 700-MW solar thermal and 250-MW photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant in Dubai is now feeding electricity into the local power grid, marking another milestone in the development of UAE's flagship Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar project.

The Trough Unit No. 1 facility was connected to the grid on November 29, Shanghai Electric (SSE:601727), which serves as the EPC contractor on the project, said in a statement.

The solar thermal plant consists of three trough units each with a capacity of 200 MW and a 100-MW tower unit. This is the world's largest solar thermal project in terms of installed capacity, investment and molten salt reserve heat, according to Shanghai Electric.

Once all four units are up and running, the system will be capable of generating power continuously for up to 13.5 hours at night and 15 hours in unfavourable weather conditions.

The solar thermal plant and the 250 MW of PV modules are part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park which will eventually reach 5,000 MW of installed capacity by 2030.

In November, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), which is developing the mega-project, selected a consortium of companies led by Ernst & Young (EY Consulting) to provide consultancy services for the 900-MW sixth phase of the solar park.

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