Solar project to produce 5% of all Dubai energy by 2030

The Dhs12bn ($3.27bn) Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is expected to produce 1,000 megawatts (MW) of power by 2030. The Supreme Council of Energy (SCE) Vice Chairman, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, detailed phase one of construction: "The first project of the park will witness the production of power using photovaltic cell technology, with a production capacity of 10MW by 2013."

The Government of Dubai has allocated a 48sqkm site for the park in Seih Al-Dahal, south of Al Khail. Phase one is expected to cost Dhs120m.

The Dubai Energy Strategy 2030 plans to source 1% of energy production from solar power by 2020, increasing to 5% by 2030. An additional 12% will be generated from nuclear power and 12% from clean coal. The remainder will come from gas.

Operated by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), the initiative was launched by HH Sheikh Mohammad, the ruler of Dubai. Stressing the preservation of environmental and energy resources as one of the 'greatest challenges' in the drive towards sustainable development, Sheikh Mohammad added: "Future generations will be the chief beneficiary of our achievements and the best judge of what we accomplish in this field."