DEWA has opened bidding for the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park's seventh phase, which will include a 1,000MW battery storage system and 1,600MW of solar power.

International developers have been formally invited by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) to submit expressions of interest for the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park's seventh phase. The new phase represents a significant turning point in Dubai's clean energy policy, with an initial capacity of 1,600 megawatts (MW) and the ability to expand to 2,000MW. The deadline for developers to submit their plans is March 21, 2025.

In order to achieve a total storage capacity of 6,000 megawatt-hours (MWh), the ambitious project will combine photovoltaic solar panels with a 1,000MW battery energy storage system (BESS) that can store electricity for six hours. This will rank among the biggest solar-plus-storage projects in the world when it is finished.

The solar park's seventh phase is anticipated to produce 4.5 terawatt-hours (TWh) of power per year, thereby lowering the emirate's need on fossil fuels. This phase will significantly reduce carbon emissions by preventing the use of more than 36 billion cubic feet of natural gas, boosting the annual CO₂ reductions from 6.5 million tonnes to 8 million tonnes.

By 2030, the planned production capacity of the solar park will increase from 5,000MW to 7,260MW, increasing the proportion of clean energy in Dubai's energy mix from 27% to 34%. The Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, which has effectively stimulated investment and innovation in the emirate's energy industry, will be used to create the project.

The most recent report from DEWA emphasizes how important battery energy storage systems (BESS) are to stabilizing the supply of renewable energy and optimizing land usage. The project will reduce solar intermittency and provide a consistent and dependable power supply by combining cutting-edge solar PV technology with extensive storage. This strategy establishes a standard for other international projects using sustainable energy infrastructure.

The rise of renewable energy in Dubai is well advanced; the solar park is presently producing 3,460MW, and another 1,200MW is being built. Between 2027 and 2029, the seventh phase is scheduled to be implemented gradually.