Major milestone reached in Dubai solar power mega project


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The multi-billion dirham development of the world's tallest solar power tower in Dubai is continuing to gather pace in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The striking 262-metre-high construction is one of the crown jewels of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which itself is central to the UAE's long-term strategy to shift its focus to renewable energy.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer,  chief executive of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) were on hand as a Molten Salt Receiver was hoisted above the ground and installed on top of the tower.

The receiver will play a crucial role in ensuring the tower can store sunlight and convert it into thermal energy.

The project is part of the Dh15.78 billion fourth phase of the vast solar park, called Noor Energy 1, and aims to provide power for 320,000 homes while slashing carbon emissions by 1.6 million tonnes.

The sprawling solar park has a planned capacity of 5,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030 and investments of up to AED 50 billion.

Dubai has set out ambitious plans to derive 75 per cent of its total power output from clean energy by 2050.

Abdul Hamid Al Muhaidib, executive managing director of Noor Energy 1, briefed Sheikh Ahmed on the progress and installation of the MSR.

Noor Energy 1 is owned by DEWA, the Silk Road Fund, which is owned by the Chinese Government and ACWA Power from Saudi Arabia.

Officials witness the latest developments at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
Officials witness the latest developments at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

“ACWA Power is proud to partner with DEWA and Silk Road Fund and support all efforts to make the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 a reality," said Mohammad Abunayyan, chairman of ACWA Power.

"Today, we reached another significant milestone in the world’s largest concentrated solar power plant, Noor Energy 1. We have completed the lifting of the Molten Salt Receiver in a record time, keeping the highest standards of safety despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and many other challenges."

The solar park will become operational in stages, starting in the third quarter of 2021.

  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in March. Wam
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in March. Wam
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has inaugurated Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (DEWA’s) Research and Development (R&D) Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. Wam
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has inaugurated Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (DEWA’s) Research and Development (R&D) Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. Wam
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in March. Wam
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in March. Wam
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurates Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in March. Wam
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurates Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in March. Wam
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurates Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in March. Wam
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurates Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in March. Wam
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurates Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in March. Wam
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurates Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in March. Wam
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurates Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. Wam
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurates Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. Wam
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurates Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. Wam
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurates Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. Wam
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurates Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. Wam
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurates Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. Wam
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurates Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. Wam
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurates Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. Wam
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurates Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. Wam
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurates Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. Wam
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India Kohli (c), Dhawan, Rohit, Rahul, Pandey, Rahane, Jadhav, Dhoni (wk), Pandya, Axar, Kuldeep, Chahal, Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar, Thakur.

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Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Need to know

When: October 17 until November 10

Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration

Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center

What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.

For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com

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The 12 breakaway clubs

England

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur

Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus

Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid

if you go

The flights

Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Seoul from Dh3,775 return, including taxes

The package

Ski Safari offers a seven-night ski package to Korea, including five nights at the Dragon Valley Hotel in Yongpyong and two nights at Seoul CenterMark hotel, from £720 (Dh3,488) per person, including transfers, based on two travelling in January

The info

Visit www.gokorea.co.uk

Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

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THE LOWDOWN

Romeo Akbar Walter

Rating: 2/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Robby Grewal
Cast: John Abraham, Mouni Roy, Jackie Shroff and Sikandar Kher 

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
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PROFILE OF INVYGO

Started: 2018

Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo

Based: Dubai

Sector: Transport

Size: 9 employees

Investment: $1,275,000

Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5