$13.6bln solar park to help Dubai achieve net-zero emissions by 2050

$13.6bln solar park to help Dubai achieve net-zero emissions by 2050

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has announced that Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world being built at an investment of AED50 billion ($13.6 billion), is set to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The solar park has a planned capacity of 5,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030 and once completed, it will reduce over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

According to Dewa, the solar park hosts two pioneering projects - The Innovation Centre and the R&D Centre.

The Innovation Centre supports Dewa's efforts to enhance innovation and creativity in clean and renewable energy and raise awareness on sustainability, in addition to strengthening national capabilities and enhancing business competitiveness.

It also provides visitors with a unique experience to explore the latest innovations in clean energy technologies, said the statement from Dewa.

The R&D Centre supports Dewa's efforts to anticipate the future, develop proactive, long-term plans to keep pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution by developing disruptive technologies.

It has the largest and most comprehensive solar testing and certification facility in the UAE, and it operates the longest continuous testing of photovoltaic panels in the UAE in desert climate conditions, it added.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO