UAE to supply world’s largest solar park with battery storage technology

UAE to supply world’s largest solar park with battery storage technology

The UAE plans to supply world’s largest solar park with battery storage technology to ensure sustainable supplies of clean electricity, supporting its plans to reduce energy sector emissions. On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) announced the appointment of a Deloitte-led consortium as a consultant for the seventh phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the world’s largest single-site solar park.

The seventh phase of the world’s largest solar park will combine approximately 1.6 gigawatts (GW) of photovoltaic solar power with an advanced 1 GW battery storage system. This comes as an important step towards achieving the objectives of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Carbon Neutrality Strategy 2050 to provide 100% of energy production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050.

Largest Solar and Storage Projects

The seventh phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park is expected to support making the project one of the largest solar and storage projects in the world, based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. The seventh phase is scheduled to be operational in stages between 2027 and 2029, thus exceeding the target of reaching a production capacity of 5,000 megawatts (MW), ahead of the target date of 2030.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park is the largest single-site solar park in the world based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, and is a key pillar of Dubai’s ambition to generate 100% of its energy from clean sources by 2050.

The integration of the seventh phase with a 1,000-megawatt electricity storage system will enhance the use of renewable energy and increase the share of clean energy in Dubai’s energy mix, enhancing energy flexibility. Upon completion, the total capacity of the park will significantly exceed the original target of 5,000 MW, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for innovation in renewable energy.

Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park

Dewa’s MD & CEO Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer stressed the importance of the project, saying: “The seventh phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park underscores the forward-looking vision of transforming Dubai into a carbon-free economy.”

He added: “By combining advanced photovoltaic solar technologies with a pioneering battery storage system, the phase will help overcome the intermittent nature of solar energy production and will serve as a replicable model for sustainable energy systems worldwide.” He pointed out that the cooperation with Deloitte underscores DEWA’s keenness to benefit from global expertise in implementing projects that reshape the future of renewable energy.

Al Tayer explained that the strategic roadmap for the seventh phase of the park is in line with the Dubai Economic Plan (D33), which aims to implement innovative projects that drive sustainable economic growth. The project is expected to attract major foreign investments, provide many specialized jobs, and drive technological progress in the renewable energy sector in the GCC.

The Deloitte-led consortium will provide comprehensive advisory services to ensure the strategic alignment of the project with national priorities, including compliance with applicable UAE laws and regulations, preparation of project tender documents based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, bid management, commercial negotiations, financial structuring, and completion of power purchase agreements, as well as the completion of the financial close of the project.

In addition, Deloitte will lead the process of communicating with global investors through marketing, promotions, workshops, and awareness of the concept of independent power projects, and strengthening international partnerships to accelerate the energy transformation in Dubai.

The project is the second electricity storage project in the UAE, and its announcement comes days after Masdar announced the construction of a 5.2 GW solar energy project in Abu Dhabi, capable of providing 1 GW of stable electricity through a battery storage system, and scheduled to start operating in 2027.