Dubai: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is participating in the 16th World Future Energy Summit 2024, hosted by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) from April 16–18, 2024, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, as part of its efforts to exchange best practices and the newest technologies in the energy and water sectors.
Since it encourages the switch to using clean, renewable energy sources, this is one of the most important events in the sustainable energy space.
Building on the foundations of a more sustainable future and bolstering Dubai’s position as a global hub for future energy, DEWA will showcase its major projects in the renewable and clean energy sectors, as well as its clever initiatives and efforts to encourage sustainable development and the shift to a green economy, in Hall 5 (Energy Hall). Among the primary initiatives on display at DEWA’s booth are:
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park
With a total investment of AED 50 billion ($13.6 billion), DEWA will showcase the most recent advancements in the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the world’s largest single-site solar park operating in the Independent Power Producer (IPP) mode and projected to produce 5,000MW by 2030 through the use of photovoltaic solar panels and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technologies. The goal of the UAE Net Zero 2050, Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, and Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 is to achieve 100 percent clean energy production capacity by 2050. With a current production capacity of 2,627MW, the solar park helps to achieve these goals.
The 950MW fourth phase of the solar park has the newest CSP and photovoltaic solar panel technologies, which are available for viewing on DEWA’s platform. According to Guinness World Records, the project has the highest thermal energy storage capacity of 5,907 megawatt-hours and the tallest CSP tower in the world, standing at nearly 263 meters.
DEWA is also showcasing the solar park’s sixth phase, which it is building in collaboration with Masdar and that makes use of the newest single-axis tracking solar photovoltaic bifacial technologies. By 2026, the solar park’s 1,800MW sixth phase will have increased its total production capacity to 4,660MW.
Sea Water Reverse Osmosis desalination plant at Jebel Ali Complex
DEWA’s stand will highlight the Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) desalination plant using solar power at Jebel Ali Power Plant and Water Desalination Complex. The AED 897 million ($244.3 million) plant has a total production capacity of 40 Million Imperial Gallons per Day (MIGD) of desalinated water.
Green Hydrogen Project
DEWA’s stand will also showcase the Green Hydrogen project implemented by DEWA in cooperation with Expo 2020 Dubai and Siemens Energy at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. It is the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa to produce hydrogen using solar energy. Built over an area of 10,000 square metres, the project will accommodate future applications and testing platforms for various uses of hydrogen, including energy production and mobility.
Green Charger
DEWA’s stand will also highlight the Green Charger for electric vehicles. DEWA has installed nearly 390 charging stations across Dubai to support green mobility and motivate individuals and organisations to use electric vehicles. Through DEWA’s EV Green Charger initiative, DEWA provided 23419.821MWh of electricity for charging EVs in Dubai from 2015 to the end of 2023, powering a cumulative electric vehicle distance of 117 million kilometres.
Innovation Centre
Visitors to DEWA’s stand can learn about its Innovation Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The Centre promotes innovation among organisations and individuals. It also highlights the sectors that will lead the innovation process in the future, as well as develop the capabilities of the next generation of innovators.
It provides visitors with the opportunity to take innovative tours, watch pioneering shows using drones and hologram technology, and try several interactive experiences, including the autonomous bus ride. Using Metaverse technology, the Centre provides a unique and innovative experience for visitors to go on a virtual tour across the Solar Park.
Al Shera’a Building
DEWA’s stand will showcase a model of Al Shera’a building, it new headquarters, which will be the tallest, largest, and smartest government Zero Energy Building in the world. The total energy used in the building during a year will be equal to or less than the energy produced on site during that year. DEWA’s new headquarters has been designed to receive a platinum rating by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and a silver rating from the WELL Building Standard.