Dubai solar park wins green energy prize

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park awarded 2018 Solar Project of the Year at Asian Power Awards

A rendering of the third phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park in Dubai. Courtesy: Masdar  
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A Dh50 billion solar park at the heart of Dubai's drive to increase its use of renewable energy has won a global seal of approval.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MBR) solar park - currently in the third phase of its development - has been named the 2018 Solar Project of the Year at the Asian Power Awards in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Abu Dhabi's clean energy company Masdar is developing phase three of the solar park in partnership with  Shua’a Energy 2.

The eco-friendly project is set be a significant contributor to the nation’s green energy strategy by 2020.

The UAE aims to generate 27 per cent of its power from clean energy sources by 2021.

“Phase 3 of the MBR Solar Park is a compelling showcase of the potential for renewable energy investment in the UAE and the wider region,” said Fawaz Al Muharrami, executive managing director of Shua’a Energy 2.

“The first stage was successfully handed over earlier this year, and the entire project is on schedule for delivery as planned in time for Expo 2020.”

The 800-megawatt (MW) project is the largest expansion of the MBR Solar Park undertaken so far.

A global report released in May showed the solar industry accounted for 3.4 million new jobs worldwide, with China creating two thirds of the new positions.

The Irena report — Renewable Energy and Jobs Annual Review — showed sixty per cent of all renewable energy jobs are in Asia.

Masdar’s Clean Energy division is active in more than 20 countries, with other renewable energy projects in Jordan, Mauritania, Egypt, Morocco, the UK, Serbia, Montenegro and Spain.

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