DEWA awards AED 1.437 billion hydroelectric power station construction contract

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has awarded the Strabag Dubai LLC, Strabag AG, Andritz Hydro and Ozkar consortium the construction contract for the AED 1.437 billion pumped-storage hydroelectric power station at Hatta.

The project is the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf and will generate 250 MW. The project is expected to last up to 80 years and is scheduled to be commissioned by February 2024. EDF has been appointed the consultant for the scheme.

The strategic project will diversify the energy mix and will also achieve the goals of the Dubai Clean Energy 2050 to provide 75% of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy by 2050.

The hydroelectric power station will use the water in the Hatta Dam, stored in an upper reservoir that will be built in the mountain. Turbines that use clean and cheap solar power from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will pump water from the dam to the upper reservoir – the waterfall from the upper reservoir will then generate electricity using turbines when required. The efficiency of the power generation and storage cycle will reach 80% within 90 seconds of the response to demand for electricity.

Describing hydroelectricity as one of the main sources of renewable clean energy in the world, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA commented:

“This AED 1.437 billion pumped-storage hydroelectric power station project is part of our efforts, initiatives, and plans to achieve the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

“Our use of hydroelectricity is part of our drive to achieve the objectives of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, to transform the Emirate into a global hub for clean energy and green economy, and to increase the share of clean energy mix in Dubai to 75% by 2050.“