Second phase of Mohammed bin Rashid solar park begins producing electricity — in pictures

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurates the second phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The second phase of the park is producing electricity with enough capacity to power 50,000 homes in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

It is also producing electricity at the world’s cheapest rate for an operating solar plant at 5.84 US cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). Pawan Singh / The National

The second phase, inaugurated in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, spans 4.5 square kilometres with 2.3 million solar panels, provided by First Solar. Pawan Singh / The National

Work has begun on the third phase of the solar park and a tender for the fourth phase is expected in June. Pawan Singh / The National

The third phase will have enough capacity to power about 200,000 homes and is expected to be completed in three years. Pawan Singh / The National

“Phase 3 is under construction and will be delivered in 2020,” says Saeed Al Tayer, the managing director and chief executive of Dewa. WAM

Mr Al Tayer said the solar park’s independent power producer model reduces the risks for Dewa, which is committed to meeting Dubai’s clean energy targets. Photo courtesy WAM

“The cost of phase 2 was US$326 million, but our investment was only $26m, with a 51 per cent holding,” Mr Al Tayer said. “I think it is beneficial to our partner with an internal rate of return of between 8 and 10 per cent.” Photo courtesy WAM

The 200-megawatt second phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park began producing electricity on Monday.