ABB paves the way for more solar power in Dubai

2015-7-30

 Zurich, Switzerland, June 17, 2015 – Substation extension to integrate more solar energy into UAE grid and enhance grid reliability

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won an order worth around $20 million from Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) , to extend a substation that will integrate more solar energy into the grid, helping diversify Dubai’s energy mix to meet growing demand.

DEWA is doubling the net output capacity of phase II of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park from 100 megawatts (MW) to 200 MW. ABB previously won a substation order in 2014 to integrate 100 MW from the park into the grid.

This utility scale solar photovoltaic plant, which covers 4.5 square kilometers, will produce enough electricity to power more than 30,000 homes serving 130,000 people. Its addition to the UAE system displaces the need for power from fossil fuels that would have produced about 250,000 tons of carbon emissions annually.

“We are working to achieve the goals of UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Plan 2021 to support Dubai’s economic growth, through diverse and secure Energy supply and Efficient Energy use, while meeting environmental and sustainability objectives. DEWA is also committed to achieving the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 to generate 7 percent of Dubai’s total power output from renewable energy by 2020 and 15% by 2030,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

“ABB’s advanced technologies will help to efficiently integrate renewable solar energy into the grid, enhancing capacity and reliability of supplies,” said Claudio Facchin, president of ABB’s Power Systems division. “We are proud to contribute to Dubai and the UAE’s energy diversification initiative and bring clean energy to meet growing industrial, commercial and residential demand. This project reiterates our focus on growing markets and renewables in line with our Next Level strategy.”

As part of this turnkey project, ABB is responsible for the design, engineering, supply, installation and commissioning of the substation’s extension. Key products to be supplied include three bays of 400 kilovolt (kV) and eleven bays of compact 132 kV gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), power transformers, and IEC 61850-based open architecture automation and controls. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2016.

The UAE, a leader in solar power in the Middle East, was the departure point for Solar Impulse 2, the ABB-supported airplane attempting to make the first solar-powered flight around the world. The plane is due to return to the UAE this year. ABB’s heritage of technology innovation in renewables, sustainable transportation and energy efficiency makes it an ideal partner for Solar Impulse’s pioneering effort.