Solar lakes in Dubai as Dewa studies floating panels on drainage reservoirs

The emirate aims to generate 25% of its energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030 and 75% by 2050

Dewa chief, Saeed Al Tayer, says UAE's green energy growth will lead to brighter and happier future.​​​ Satish Kumar/ The National 

Dubai Municipality and utility provider, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), are studying the installation of a floating photovoltaic solar panel system on a deep tunnel rainwater drainage project.

The project to establish solar lakes will contribute to the production of clean energy and the station will float on artificial reservoirs near Al Maktoum International Airport. The lakes will receive rainwater and surface water from neighbouring areas, which will be stored and then discharged to the deep tunnel, Dawoud Al Hajri, director general of Dubai Municipality, said on Saturday.

The presence of the station on the water will help reduce the heat surrounding the solar panels and raise their efficiency, Mr Al Hajri said.

Dubai aims to generate 25 per cent of its energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030 and 75 per cent by 2050, as part of its clean energy drive.

Dewa, on June 9, announced a tender for consultancy services to study, develop and establish floating solar power plants.

The consultancy contract includes a feasibility study and preparation of technical requirements for the construction of floating solar PV panels, environmental studies and marine requirements, the utility said.

Dewa is also building the world's largest solar park in Dubai's desert as the emirate looks to reduce reliance on natural gas as the main energy source for electricity. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is expected to generate 5,000 megawatts of electricity by 2030, is in its fourth phase of development.

Dubai’s utilities sector will require Dh86 billion investment over the next five years, with 45 per cent of it coming from the private sector.