Dh10B power stations to rise in Dubai

Dubai - Dewa's strategy is to invest Dh81B over the next five years

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) is working to build 112 stations worth Dh10 billion that will be come on stream over the next few years, its top official said on Saturday.
"There are currently 243 132/11kV substations, and 15 inaugurated in 2017, with 9 inaugurated since the beginning of 2018. The Dewa is currently working to build 112 stations over the next few years at a total value of Dh10 billion. These will contribute to increasing the reliability and efficiency of work to serve Dubai's ambitious urban and economic plans and promote sustainable development efforts in the UAE," said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive officer of the Dewa.
The utility on Saturday said it had awarded a Dh1.28 billion contracts to construct four 400/132kV substations. The new substations will add to the Dewa's existing 21 400/132kV substations to increase the capacity and efficiency of its electricity and transmission networks.
The projects include Dh314.9 million construction contract to Grid Solution to build the Canal Garden Station to meet expected demand growth from new projects and to reduce the load on the Gardens and Al Barsha. It is scheduled to be completed by February 2020.
The Dewa awarded the second contract to Siemens for the Dubai South station substation, worth Dh323 million to meet growing load demand. The new substation will be built within the Dubai World Central project, and is scheduled to be completed by March 2020.
The Dh304.544 million construction contract for the Dubai North station was awarded to Al Fanar Company to meet the growing load demand for new substations, which are being built to expand the infrastructure in and around Dubai International Airport. It is expected to be completed by January 2021.
The Dh338.87 million construction contract for Shams station was awarded to ABB, to meet growing load demand resulting from the planned expansion of the 1,500MW power production capacity using photovoltaic panels at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar park, which is expected to be completed by December 2020. The Dewa's strategy is to invest Dh81 billion over the next five years to meet the energy needs of the emirate.
This will strengthen the UAE's global competitiveness with a focus on green economy, by launching projects in clean and renewable energy infrastructure.
The Dewa plans to increase energy production, including the construction of power plants in the Hassyan area, and at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, in addition to Jebel Ali and Al Aweer, and the hydroelectric power station that make use of the water stored in the Hatta dam, and the development of an island to store hydropower.
- waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com