DEWA is seeking interested bidders to develop phase VII of the MBR Solar Park in Dubai
It will host 1.6 GW AC to 2.0 GW AC solar PV capacity along with 1 GW/6-hour BESS
DEWA will be the sole offtaker of the project that will become completely operational by 2029
The Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) has opened the competitive solicitation process for phase VII of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park (MBR Solar Park). It seeks bidders for 1.6 GW AC to 2.0 GW AC of solar PV and 1 GW/6 hours of battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity.
Calling it one of the world’s largest solar+storage projects under the independent power producer (IPP) model, this phase will be commissioned in phases, starting from August 2027 and 2029. This will ensure the project is online ahead of the target completion date of 2030 for the 5 GW MBR Solar Park.
DEWA will offtake power from phase VII under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA). It recently appointed a global consortium led by Deloitte as the consultant for this phase (see Dubai Announces 1.6 GW Solar PV & Battery Energy Storage System Tender).
“Our strategic road map for the seventh phase of the solar park aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) to consolidate the Emirate’s status as a top-tier sustainable economy. The project is expected to attract substantial foreign investment, create high-skilled jobs and drive technological advancement in the GCC’s renewable energy sector,” said the MD and CEO of DEWA, Mohammed Al Tayer.
DEWA issued the call on February 25, 2025. It will accept bids from interested companies till March 21, 2025. Details are available on DEWA’s website with tender no. CG/0004/2025.
Being developed as the world’s ‘largest’ single-site solar park under the IPP model, the MBR Solar Park will exceed its original targeted capacity of 5 GW with the completion of phase VII. So far, 2.86 GW of tendered capacity has come online in 5 phases. Another 1.8 GW under phase VI, won by Masdar, is scheduled to come online in stages between 2024 and 2026 (see $0.016215/kWh For 1.8 GW Solar Project In Dubai).