Indian EPC Bags Contract For UAE’s ‘Largest’ RE Plant

• India's L&T has announced securing the contract to build 1.8 GW AC solar capacity in the UAE 
• It forms phase VI of the world's largest single-sited solar park, MBR Solar Park 
• Its developer Masdar will sell all the electricity generated to DEWA under a PPA 

Indian multinational EPC giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T) will build a 1,800 MW AC solar power plant in Dubai as the 'largest' renewable generation plant in the UAE. It forms phase VI of the 5 GW Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park (MBR Solar Park). 

L&T has been hired by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company Masdar to set up the project as the EPC contractor on over a 20 sq. km. space for the largest single-site solar park in the world based on the independent power producer (IPP) model. 

The scope of work includes setting up related evacuation and interconnection arrangements including 2 gas insulated substations, high voltage underground cabling and medium voltage distribution networks. 

It will bring the 1.8 GW AC capacity online in 3 phases. Once operational, it is expected to reduce around 2.4 million tons of carbon emissions annually. Power generated will be supplied to 540,000 residences in Dubai. The project is scheduled to come online between 2024 and 2026, according to official information.  

Masdar has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) for the project. The latter will be the sole offtaker of power generated by the plant, and also retain 60% stake in it on completion. 

The Abu Dhabi company won phase VI for the lowest levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of $0.016215/kWh (see $0.016215/kWh For 1.8 GW Solar Project In Dubai). 

This big contract for L&T follows another big one it is already working on in the Middle East, a 2.97 GW DC solar project to power a green hydrogen plant in Saudi Arabia's NEOM (see Major Order For PVH From Middle East).