L&T Construction To Build 1800MW Solar Plant in Dubai

L&T Construction To Build 1800MW Solar Plant in Dubai. Photo: Pexels

India-based technology and construction company Larsen & Toubro Power Transmission & Distribution business’ Renewable EPC arm has been given the turnkey Engineering, Procurement, and Construction contract to establish an 1800 MWac Solar Photovoltaic Plant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The project is the sixth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Once under operation, the plant will reduce around 2.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually, read a press statement by L&T.

The project is spread over 20 sq km and is expected to become operational in three phases. According to a media statement by L&T, along with the Photovoltaic plant, the scope includes related evacuation and interconnection arrangements including two Gas Insulated Substations, high-voltage underground cabling, and medium-voltage distribution networks.

Commenting on the development T. Madhava Das, Whole-Time Director & Sr. Executive Vice President (Utilities), Larsen & Toubro (L&T) said, “We thank Masdar and DEWA, who are our longstanding customers, for their support in this project. We are committed to bringing in our innovative renewable energy solutions and project management expertise to speed up energy transition in the region which is pursuing economic development combined with sustainable practices”.

UAE-based clean energy company Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar has signed the Power Purchase Agreement with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) to develop the project. DEWA will retain a 60% stake in the project and be the sole off-taker of the power generated from the plant.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the largest single-site solar park in the world based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. It has a planned production capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030 and when completed, it will save over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The solar park is a crucial component in both the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and DEWA’s strategic initiative for Net Zero emissions by 2050.

In December last year, Masdar, announced the acquisition of eight hybrid renewable energy projects, along with Taaleri Energia, a Finland-based renewable energy developer and fund manager, marking a significant expansion to both companies’ Polish renewable energy portfolios.