DEWA announces release of Request for Proposal for 800MW 3rd phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park

DUBAI, 30th December, 2015 (WAM) -- Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA, has announced release of a Request for Proposal, RFP, for the 800MW 3rd phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. DEWA says that in line with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai a global centre of clean energy and green economy, the emirate is making significant and steady progress in increasing dependence on renewable and clean energy. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed announced during the inauguration of second phase 200MW of Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, that 75% of Dubai's energy will be from clean sources by 2050 and 25% by 2030. The second phase of the solar park will be operational by 2017 and will generate 1000MW by 2020 and 5000MW by 2030. DEWA increased the share of renewable energy targets in Dubai's energy mix to 7% by 2020 and 25% by 2030, to support the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and released a request for the Expression of Interest, EOI, for the 800MW third phase on 8th September 2015. They had received 95 EOI responses from Global market Solar IPP players by 29th September. DEWA received 21 Request for Quotation, RFQ, responses from international IPP bidders and consortium partners on 29th November, and the Request for Proposal, RFP, was released to qualified bidders on 28th December. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the largest single-site strategic renewable energy project of its kind in the world, based on the IPP model. The 13MW first phase became operational in 2013. The 200MW second phase of the Solar Park will be operational by 2017, and the 800MW third phase will be operational by 2020. "We are determined to continue building and developing a greener economy, to achieve the UAE Vision 2021 to instil a sustainable environment in terms of air quality, conserving water resources, more reliance on clean energy, and implementing green development in Dubai. We support the long-term "Green Economy for Sustainable Development" initiative to build a green economy in the UAE. We also support Dubai Plan 2021 to establish Dubai as a smart and sustainable city, whose environmental elements are clean, healthy, and sustainable. We are inspired to achieve these ambitious goals of our wise leadership who support the plan to diversify our energy mix to ensure energy security, and build a sustainable future, for generations to come," said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA. "To achieve our vision to become a sustainable innovative world class utility, we are working to establish sustainability as the roadmap that secures a brighter and happier future for Dubai, by launching distinguished world-class initiatives and projects in green development," he added. The project, which is based on the Independent Power Producer, or IPP model, is another milestone achievement that will put Dubai and the UAE at the forefront of the countries in the region in producing renewable and clean energy, and supports the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The response to RFP project's tender is expected to be received towards the end of the 2nd quarter of 2016. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395289755171.html