Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) said tunneling operations have begun at its 250 MW hydroelectric power station in Hatta, a first-of-its-kind project in the GCC region, being built at an investment of Dh1.42 billion ($386.5 million).
The construction contract for the pumped-storage hydroelectric power station was awarded to a consortium led by Austrian construction company Strabag, with key partners Strabag Dubai, Andritz Hydro and Ozkar, said the statement from Dewa.
Électricité de France (EDF) is the consultant of the project, which is scheduled to be commissioned by February 2024.
The 250 MW station will generate electricity by making use of the water stored in Hatta Dam. It will have a storage capacity of 1,500 MWh and a life span of 80 years, it stated.
"The hydroelectric power station translates Dewa’s hard work to implement the directives of the wise leadership to protect natural resources and increase the share of clean and renewable energy," remarked Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO.
"This is what we strive to achieve through the pumped-storage hydroelectric power station, which is the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf region. This promotes Dubai’s position as a global hub for clean energy and green economy," said Al Tayer, after reviewing the work progress of the project.
Al Tayer was accompanied by Nasser Lootah, EVP-Generation at Dewa, Yousef Jebril, EVP-Power and Water Planning at Dewa, Dr Yousef Al Akraf, EVP-Business Support and HR at Dewa, Mansoor Alsuwaidi, VP- Projects Generation at Dewa and Khalifa Albedwawi, the project manager.
During the visit, Al Tayer and his delegation were briefed about the project by Dirk Leitzig from Strabag AG.
"The tunnelling operations have started at the hydroelectric station. This phase is very critical and uses the latest and safest drilling technologies to fit Hatta’s geological features while following the highest international environmental standards," he stated.
Al Tayer said this strategic project would diversify the energy mix and support Hatta’s economic, social and environmental development.
"It will also help achieve the goals of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to provide 75% of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy by 2050," noted the top official.
According to him, the project is part of Dewa’s initiatives to provide leading and innovative job opportunities for Emirati citizens in Hatta.
It will also feature a visitor’s centre and outdoor activities and tourist facilities that will support the sustainable development of Hatta and enhance its position as one of most prominent tourist attractions in Dubai, he added.
The 250MW power station will use water in the Hatta Dam and an upper reservoir that will be built in the mountain, said the statement from Dewa.
During off-peak hours, advanced turbines will use clean solar power from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park to pump water from the dam to the upper reservoir, it stated.
Turbines operated by the speed of waterfall from the upper reservoir will be used to generate electricity through a 1.2 km subterranean water canal, with high efficiency in power generation and storage, and with a 90-second response to demand for electricity, it added.
