Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park hosts MBA students from Kellogg School of Management

Government

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park hosts MBA students from Kellogg School of Management

Dubai, UAE, 30 March 2015: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has organised a field visit to the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Parkfor MBA students from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, USA. The visit is part of the field visits DEWA organises to educational institutes to demonstrate its current andfuture projects, initiatives, and programmes that supportsustainable development.

DEWA has faith in the next generation and is committed to supporting students in the energy sector and inform them about Dubais energy projects and the latest technologies we use. DEWA works to achieve the Dubai Plan 2021 and enhance the leading position of Dubai as a global hub for trade, finance, tourism, and sustainability, said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is one of the key strategic renewable energy projects in the world. It is based on the independent power producer (IPP) model, with a planned total capacity of 1,000MW by 2019 and 3,000MW by 2030. The 13MW first phase became operational on 22 October 2013, with the 200MW second phase operational by 2017. The Solar Park includes a Research and Development Centre (R&D), a solar-testing facility, an Innovation Centre, a University, and a training centre, added Al Tayer.

During the Solar Park tour,DEWAs team presented an overview ofDEWAskey projects and strategic initiatives. The team highlighted DEWAs three smart initiatives, which support the Smart Dubai initiative. Through the first initiative, called Shams Dubai, DEWA connects solar energy to buildings to encourage household tenants and building owners to install photovoltaic (PV) solar panels to generate electricity. The PV solar system will be connected to DEWAs grid. This encourages the use of renewable energy and increases its share in the energy mix. The second initiative includes smart applications that use smart meters and grids. The third initiative is to create the infrastructure and charging stations for electric vehicles, to reduce air pollution and protect the environment from transport emissions. Last month, DEWA launched the first charging station at its head office. In the first phase, 16 charging stations will be installed throughout the Emirate.

At the end of the visit, the students thanked DEWA. They admired its smart projects and initiatives that support the sustainable development of the Emirate and contribute to developing the renewable energy sector in the region.