EDF inaugurates renewable energy facility in UAE

France-based EDF Group has inaugurated its 200MW renewable energy facility in the United Arab Emirates.

The new plant is the first unit of the 800MW Dewa III facility in which the company bought a stake along with Masdar and the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA).

This facility is the third phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park, which amounts to a total investment of $14bn.

The solar park will have a total installed capacity of 5000MW and is set to create more than 1000 jobs during its development phase, while reducing CO2 emissions by up to 6.5 million tonnes annually, once operational in 2030.

EDF chairman and CEO Jean-Bernard Lévy said: “I am delighted with the trusting relationship we have forged with our partners Masdar and DEWA to develop carbon-free energy in the region and beyond.

“Dewa III exemplifies the EDF Group’s ability to execute large-scale solar projects, whilst contributing to the ambitions of the Group’s CAP 2030 strategy: doubling its renewable capacities and tripling its international business outside of Europe by 2030”.

EDF noted that the currently installed 200MW of generating capacity will be followed by the consecutive commissioning of two 300 MW units in 2019 and 2020.

EDF Group Renewables executive vice-president Bruno Bensasson said: “This new project, which is being delivered in accordance with a challenging schedule, illustrates our workforce’s know-how when it comes to developing large solar plants.”