Dubai: Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), has received the certificate for the Energy Infrastructure Award, which DEWA won at the prestigious 2024 S and P Global Platts Energy Awards for the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. DEWA has become the first utility in the Middle East and North Africa region to receive this award, outperforming 1,000 leading companies that applied for this global honour.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Platts Global Energy Awards, presented by S and P Global Commodity Insights, are an annual event recognising excellence in the energy industry. These awards, often referred to as the 'Oscars of the energy industry,' acknowledge individuals and corporations for their achievements in innovation, leadership, and contributions to shaping the future of the energy sector. The awards cover categories such as sustainability, innovation, energy infrastructure, and technology. Since 1999, they have drawn participation from leading global energy companies and innovators.
Al Tayer remarked that the award is a reflection of the UAE's commitment to excellence, guided by the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He highlighted the alignment of this vision with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, which aim to provide 100% of energy production capacity from clean sources by 2050. Al Tayer emphasized DEWA's commitment to innovation and sustainability, ensuring that their infrastructure meets the demands of current and future generations while supporting Dubai's urban and demographic growth.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is noted as the largest single-site solar park in the world, operating under the independent power producer (IPP) model. DEWA plans to increase the solar park's production capacity to 7,260 megawatts (MW) by 2030, with its current capacity at 3,860MW using photovoltaic solar panels and concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies. The solar park's fourth phase has set four Guinness World Records, underscoring DEWA's role in innovation and renewable energy.