The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has revised its plans for the seventh phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The capacity of the energy storage system has been increased from 1 GW to 1.4 GW after receiving 49 bids from potential participants, while solar generation remains at 2 GW.
The project is part of the world’s largest single-site solar power facility. The original tender, announced in February, envisioned solar capacity of 1.6-2 GW, with a 1 GW storage component. The upgraded battery system can now store 8.4 GWh of electricity for up to 6 hours.
DEWA received 49 applications for the first stage of the tender, and on October 20, the shortlisted companies were given the documents to submit their full proposals. The winning bidder will implement the project under the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model through a long-term power purchase agreement.
How the world’s largest solar park is growing
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, DEWA’s CEO, stated that once the seventh phase is completed, the park’s total capacity will exceed 8 GW. Currently, operating units are producing more than 3.8 GW.
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The first phase, launched in October 2013, combined photovoltaic panels and concentrated solar power. It was followed by a second phase of 200 MW and a third phase of 800 MW. In September, DEWA announced that the sixth phase — which will add 1.8 GW — is already more than two-thirds complete, with 1 GW operational.
UAE real estate market updates today often link infrastructure projects like this to shifts in investor interest and urban development. The growth of renewable energy directly enhances the attractiveness of surrounding areas for developers. Companies planning to build offices, logistics hubs, or residential complexes view access to clean energy as a long-term advantage for both cost efficiency and sustainability standards.
The solar park is a cornerstone of Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, which aim to supply 100% of the emirate’s power from clean sources by mid-century. Expanding battery storage addresses one of the main challenges of solar power — its dependence on daylight. The batteries store excess energy during the day and release it in the evening or at night when demand peaks.
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Why large-scale energy storage matters
The 1.4 GW, six-hour capacity batteries bring several key advantages:
- Stabilizing the power grid during peak demand hours
- Reducing dependence on gas-fired power plants
- Allowing excess solar power to be stored and used later
- Increasing reliability during sudden consumption spikes
For expatriates living in the UAE and owning property or businesses, financial and legal considerations remain crucial. There is no UAE inheritance tax, which makes the Emirates an appealing destination for long-term asset planning. The absence of taxes on wealth transfer simplifies estate management and protects family interests when passing on property or company shares.
The seventh phase will mark the most significant single expansion of capacity in the solar park’s history. While DEWA has not yet disclosed a completion timeline, construction will begin immediately after a contractor is selected. The project site, located 50 kilometers south of downtown Dubai, offers ideal solar conditions — abundant sunshine and open desert space for panel installation.
