• The Rove Expo 2020 will be in the blue zone with access for accredited delegates during the global climate summit. Photo: Rove Hotels
    The Rove Expo 2020 will be in the blue zone with access for accredited delegates during the global climate summit. Photo: Rove Hotels
  • Alif - the Mobility Pavilion in Dubai will be open to the public during Cop28. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Alif - the Mobility Pavilion in Dubai will be open to the public during Cop28. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The Expo 2020 falcon-winged UAE pavilion will go by a different name and serve as a cultural venue during Cop28. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National
    The Expo 2020 falcon-winged UAE pavilion will go by a different name and serve as a cultural venue during Cop28. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Terra - the Sustainability pavilion, which is covered with hundreds of solar panels, will be open to the public for Cop28. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Terra - the Sustainability pavilion, which is covered with hundreds of solar panels, will be open to the public for Cop28. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The Terra, Alif, Vision, Women’s and Stories of Nations pavilions and Latifa’s Playground will be shut from November 18-29 to incorporate changes for Cop28. EPA
    The Terra, Alif, Vision, Women’s and Stories of Nations pavilions and Latifa’s Playground will be shut from November 18-29 to incorporate changes for Cop28. EPA
  • The Expo 2020 metro station serves the Dubai Exhibition and Convention Centre. Cop28 organisers have asked visitors to use the Dubai Metro. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Expo 2020 metro station serves the Dubai Exhibition and Convention Centre. Cop28 organisers have asked visitors to use the Dubai Metro. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The central Al Wasl Plaza at Expo City Dubai will be in the Cop28 green zone and accessible to the public during the summit. EPA
    The central Al Wasl Plaza at Expo City Dubai will be in the Cop28 green zone and accessible to the public during the summit. EPA
  • Surreal, a popular Expo 2020 Dubai water feature, will be open to the public during Cop28. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Surreal, a popular Expo 2020 Dubai water feature, will be open to the public during Cop28. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Airport-style security gates will be installed for entry into the Cop28 summit's blue and green zones, much like the screening at the Expo 2020 site. Pawan Singh / The National
    Airport-style security gates will be installed for entry into the Cop28 summit's blue and green zones, much like the screening at the Expo 2020 site. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A night view of the Vision Pavilion that will be open to the public during Cop28. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    A night view of the Vision Pavilion that will be open to the public during Cop28. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The Garden in the Sky attraction will be shut from October and will not operate during Cop28. Pawan Singh / The National.
    The Garden in the Sky attraction will be shut from October and will not operate during Cop28. Pawan Singh / The National.
  • Arish, traditional architecture using dried palm leaves, will feature across the Cop28 site. Photo: Sandra Piesik
    Arish, traditional architecture using dried palm leaves, will feature across the Cop28 site. Photo: Sandra Piesik
  • As well as dried palm leaves, the age-old arish technique also uses fibre from the trunk and husk to construct homes and weave ropes. Photo: Sandra Piesik
    As well as dried palm leaves, the age-old arish technique also uses fibre from the trunk and husk to construct homes and weave ropes. Photo: Sandra Piesik

UAE

Expo City Dubai to be powered entirely by renewable energy

Energy will be sourced from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park

Jessica Morgan

November 21, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Expo City Dubai is to be powered entirely using electricity generated from renewable sources.

Dubai's Electricity and Water Authority is to provide 100,000 megawatts of renewable energy from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the world's largest solar park.

It will be used to power homes and businesses in Expo City Dubai, as part of the country's plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and support the venue's role as a hub in the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.

The move comes as Expo City Dubai prepares to host the Cop28 climate change summit on November 30.

Expo City Dubai and Dewa signed an agreement during a ceremony on Tuesday, which was witnessed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.

  • 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
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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 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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    More than 2.5 million photovoltaic modules have been fitted during phase 5 of the project.

“As the global population continues to gravitate towards urban centres, it is critical these centres balance meeting the needs of their communities with environmental sustainability – a strategic priority for the UAE,” said Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation and chief executive of Expo City Dubai Authority, who was present at the ceremony.

“This agreement reflects an important step forward in our focus on sustainable development and the transition to clean energy, with Expo City being one of five urban hubs in Dubai's growth.

“It is also a timely transition as Expo City Dubai prepares to host the world once again for Cop28, supporting global climate action.”

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park currently has a clean energy capacity of 2,627 megawatts. Construction is under way to increase this capacity to 2,033MW, to reach 4,660MW by 2026.

By 2030, the solar park's capacity is planned to reach 5,000MW, contributing to an annual reduction of more than 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions.

In August, Dewa said it selected Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company Masdar to build and operate the 1,800MW sixth phase of the solar park.

“It is a significant accomplishment that Expo City Dubai, the site of Cop28, will be powered by renewable energy produced here in the UAE, made possible by the world-class scale and ambition of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, with key phases developed by Masdar," said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, chairman of Masdar and Cop28 President-designate.

"It is a tangible demonstration of our climate action leadership and another step forward in decarbonisation at home and abroad, as we call on the world to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030 to keep the ambition of 1.5ºC degrees within reach."

The UAE has been investing heavily in renewable energy projects to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

In November, it approved an updated version of the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 and the development of the National Hydrogen Strategy in July.

As part of the plan, the UAE plans to invest Dh200 billion ($54 billion) by 2030 to ensure energy demand is met while sustaining economic growth.

While you're here
Top 10 most polluted cities
  1. Bhiwadi, India
  2. Ghaziabad, India
  3. Hotan, China
  4. Delhi, India
  5. Jaunpur, India
  6. Faisalabad, Pakistan
  7. Noida, India
  8. Bahawalpur, Pakistan
  9. Peshawar, Pakistan
  10. Bagpat, India
Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

While you're here ...
While you're here
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

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

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Updated: November 22, 2023, 7:53 AM
DubaiUAERenewable energyCop28