Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has invited international developers to submit expressions of interest for the seventh phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
This phase, with a capacity of 1,600 megawatts (MW) and expandable to 2,000MW, is set to become one of the world’s largest solar-plus-storage projects.
The deadline for submissions is March 21, 2025.
The seventh phase will utilise advanced photovoltaic solar panels alongside a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of 1,000MW for six hours, providing a total storage capacity of 6,000 megawatt-hours (MWh).
The project will be implemented under the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model.
Once operational, this phase is expected to produce 4.5 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually.
It will avoid the burning of over 36 billion cubic feet of natural gas and increase the solar park’s production capacity from 5,000MW to 7,260MW.
This expansion will raise the share of clean energy in Dubai’s energy mix from 27 per cent to 34 per cent by 2030.
Additionally, carbon dioxide emissions reductions will rise from 6.5 million tonnes to approximately 8 million tonnes annually, reinforcing Dubai’s global leadership in renewable energy and sustainability.
The seventh phase is scheduled to become operational in stages between 2027 and 2029.
Currently, the solar park has a production capacity of 3,460MW, with an additional 1,200MW under construction.
A DEWA study highlights that battery energy storage systems are the most cost-effective solution for energy storage and land use.
These systems enhance grid stability and reliability while mitigating the intermittency of solar power.
The integration of solar PV with advanced BESS sets a replicable model for sustainable power generation.
This ambitious project aligns with Dubai’s vision to become a global hub for clean energy and green economy initiatives.
