The park, being built by the emirate's electricity and water authority, is planned to have a total capacity of 5,000MW by 2030.
It is the world's largest single-site solar park using the Independent Power Producer model.
The project recently added 200MW from the 900MW fifth phase of the scheme using photovoltaic solar panels, contributing to the total production capacity of energy in Dubai, which has now hit 14,817MW.
The solar park is responsible for 15.7 per cent of the emirate's energy capacity, Dewa said.
The fifth phase is aimed at providing clean energy to over 270,000 Dubai residences and reducing carbon emissions by 1.8 million tonnes a year.
The emirate is working to “promote sustainability and the shift toward a sustainable green economy by increasing the share of renewable and clean energy within Dubai's energy mix,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, chief executive of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, chief executive of Dewa, says Dubai is moving towards a sustainable green economy
Energy demand in Dubai reached 53,180 gigawatt-hours last year, compared with 50,401 in 2021. The rise in demand reflects the strong performance of all sectors in Dubai, in addition to the growth in population and expansion of key activities.
Dubai aims to generate 25 per cent of its energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2050 as part of its clean energy target.
Dewa is building the world's largest solar park in the Dubai desert, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, in a bid to reduce reliance on natural gas and diversify its power sources.
The solar park has attracted a total of around Dh50 billion ($13.6 billion) of investments, thanks in part to its usage of the IPP model.
When completed, it “will contribute to reducing more than 6.5 tonnes of carbon emissions annually”, said Mr Al Tayer.
Dewa set a world record in 2020 by receiving the lowest bid of $1.6953 cents per kilowatt for the 900MW fifth phase of the solar park.
The sixth phase, which is expected to operate between 2024 and 2026, will have a capacity of 1,800MW using photovoltaic solar panels.
The UAE plans to invest Dhs600 billion in clean energy projects as part of its Net Zero 2050 strategy.
It is also building the world's largest solar plant in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region, with a total capacity of 2 gigawatts.
An aerial view of Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park in Dubai in January 2022. Solar is essential to the UAE's new energy mix. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
The fifth phase of a clean energy project at the Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park will further help reduce carbon emissions.
An aerial view of the Solar Park in the Dubai desert.
Marco Garcia, chief commercial officer of Nextracker, a US company which has provided photovoltaic technology used in the project.
The Innovation Centre at the MBR Solar Park in Dubai, where machine learning is being utilised to track direct sunlight to maximise efficient energy capture, storage and transmission.
The solar powered panels follow the path of the sun to help the emirate reach its clean energy transition goals.
Omar Al Hassan, chief executive of Shuaa Energy 3, the company operating the scheme, says the vast project will ultimately create clean energy to power more than 250,000 houses in Dubai.
Robotic cleaning systems are installed on the solar panels.
More than 2.5 million photovoltaic modules have been fitted during phase 5 of the project.
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
