Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), headed a high-level delegation from DEWA in an official visit to Spain, to enhance mutual relationships and exchange best experiences.
The delegation gained insight into the achievements of Spanish companies, the best international practices in sustainable energy, the diversification of energy resources. The visit was aimed at enhancing cooperation in regard to the latest technologies, producing electricity via the use of solar energy through photovoltaic (PV) panels. The two sides also discussed Concentrated Solar Power (CSP).
“The delegations visit supports the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make the UAE the most sustainable country in the world by launching ambitious projects in clean and renewable energy, ensuring the Emirate’s continuous growth, while protecting its natural resources, and shaping the future of energy in the region as a whole. This is to achieve sustainable development, promote the welfare of citizens, residents, and visitors, and shape a sustainable future for generations to come.
Through this visit, we aim to enhance cooperation in solar and clean energy. The transformation towards clean energy has positive environmental, social, and economic effects, making conventional energy less competitive and attractive for further investments. Clean energy is a great opportunity to meet the increasing demand around the world,” said Al Tayer.
The delegation included Nasser Lootah, Executive Vice President of Generation at DEWA, Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy & Business Development at DEWA, Ahmed Abdullah, Senior Manager of External Communications at DEWA, Dr. Pedro Banda, Director Research & Development at DEWA, and Nebojsa Simic, Specialist of Inauguration of Production at DEWA. Al Tayer and the delegation visited the Abengoa Solucar complex in Seville, and “Gemasolar” CSP Plant project being executed by Torresol Energy in Seville, with a productive capacity of 19.9 MW.
Al Tayer and the delegation were received by Hisham bin Faisal Alhegelan, General Manager of Abengoa Solar SA, Javier Pariente, CEO of Abeinsa Business Development, and Antonio Gonzalez Casas, CEO of Abengoa Solar Espana SA.
The Gemasolar CSP plant is the first commercial-scale CSP plant in the world. The electricity is generated through a central tower receiver that is also capable of storing heat. The project provides electricity to about 25,000 homes in Andalusia, Spain. It also reduces carbon dioxide emissions by about 30,000 tonnes yearly.
“In adherence with the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, DEWA recently launched the largest Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) project in the world, based the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, with an expected capacity of 1,000 MW by 2030 at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is the largest single-site solar park in the world with a planned capacity of 5,000MW by 2030 with a total investment of AED 50 billion. DEWA has received a globally-competitive price of USD 2.99 cents per kilowatt (kW) for the park’s third phase, which will use PV technology and will be operational by 2020. This is based on the IPP model, thanks to the Masdar-led consortium including the Spanish companies FRV (Fotowatio Renewable Ventures) and Gransolar Group.
The importance of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park lies in two points: it is the first of its kind in the region, and in its capacity. It is the first of several promising projects to use renewable energy to generate electricity in Dubai,” added Al Tayer.
It is worth mentioning that DEWA has released a tender for leading international CSP consultants to submit their proposals for advisory services for the 200MW first project of the CSP plant. It will be operational by April 2021. DEWA will generate 1,000MW using this technology by 2030 at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park, which is the largest single-site solar park in the world with a planned capacity of 5,000MW by 2030 with a total investment of AED 50 billion.
Source: WAM
