Dubai’s DEWA seeks proposals for phase V of 5 GW Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park

The Dubai Water and Electricity Authority (DEWA) has finally launched the tender process to expand the capacity of the huge Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park – the largest solar project in the Middle East – by 900 MW.

The request for proposal relates to the fifth phase of the massive project, after the utility issued a specific tender for IPP advisory services in May.

Phase V will have a PV capacity of 900 MW and be commissioned in the second quarter of 2021, with power generated at the facility sold to DEWA under a long-term PPA. Interested developers have until March 31 to pre-qualify for the procurement.

Only two phases of the park are operational: phase I, with just 13 MW; and the 200 MW Phase II. An 800 MW facility and a 200 MW concentrating solar power (CSP) plant are under construction. Phase I was developed by U.S. thin-film module maker First Solar in late 2013 and phase II was constructed by Saudi group ACWA Power and Spanish engineering services provider TSK.

French utility EDF began construction of the 800 MW PV section of Phase III in 2017, with a 200 MW slice coming online in May. That section of the project will sell electricity to DEWA for $0.029/kWh.

Phase IV, originally 700 MW of CSP but later expanded with 250 MW of PV capacity, is being developed by ACWA. The PV portion of that phase will sell power for $0.024/kWh. For the CSP section, ACWA and DEWA agreed a price of $0.073/kWh.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is planned to reach a final capacity of some 5 GW and is also set to include large-scale storage and hydrogen facilities.