In a bid to generate 5% of the emirate’s electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030, Dubai authorities were cited by a Reuters India report as being on the verge of announcing details of a large solar power plant in the region. Saeed Mohammed al-Tayer, vice chairman of Dubai's Supreme Council of Energy, has said that although the 5% target will comprise several forms of renewable energy sources, “[t]his is mainly going to be solar”.
Dubai's Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 is an initiative that has stated that the emirate will strive to have reduced its energy imports and climate warming carbon dioxide emissions by 30% by 2030. Dubai will use a combination of solar power and nuclear power imported from Abu Dhabi to reduce its reliance on gas.
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Although the report cites Tayer as saying that the location for the rumoured solar park has been identified, no further details in relation to size, cost, date of completion or companies involved have been revealed as yet.
“In line with Dubai's energy strategy the plan is to have 5% of renewables in the electricity supply mix. This is mainly going to be solar,” said Saeed Mohammed al-Tayer, who also holds the role of chief executive of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). “Soon we will have a very big (solar) project in Dubai we are trying to find a date to announce it. We have identified the place.”
Nejib Zaafrani, secretary general and chief executive officer of the Supreme Energy Council, said, “The strategy of Dubai have looked at an array of alternatives and we are talking about multi billion dollars of investment until 2030.” He also added that the solar plant “will be big enough to accommodate this 5% target.”
The intention for Dubai by 2030 is to have its electricity needs served by the following sources: 71% from gas; 12% from coal; 12% nuclear (imported); and 5% from solar.
