Sheikh Hamdan Reviews Hatta Hydro Project – 80% Complete

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum visited the Hatta hydroelectric project by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) to assess its advancement. The project, a pioneering venture in the GCC region, reached an impressive 80% completion milestone. During his inspection, Sheikh Hamdan reiterated Dubai’s dedication to sustainable infrastructure, aligning with the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE.

Highlighting Dubai’s prowess in clean energy initiatives, Sheikh Hamdan emphasized the city’s ability to translate innovative concepts into significant national endeavors. He lauded DEWA’s efficiency in executing sustainable projects, spotlighting the hydroelectric plant’s remarkable progress. Anticipated to be operational in early 2025, the plant is pivotal to achieving Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Net Zero Strategy 2050, aiming for a complete transition to clean energy by 2050.

In his briefing to Sheikh Hamdan, DEWA’s Managing Director and CEO, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, outlined the hydroelectric project’s details. With an investment of AED1.421 billion, the plant is designed for a 250 MW capacity, 1,500 MWh storage, and an 80-year lifespan. Al Tayer emphasized that such sustainable initiatives are integral to DEWA’s commitment to offering world-class services and addressing current and future challenges, particularly those related to climate change.

The hydroelectric project, leveraging advanced technologies, plays a vital role in DEWA’s sustainable portfolio. By embracing cutting-edge solutions, Dubai aims to strengthen its position as a global leader in innovation and sustainability, aligning with the goals of Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050. Al Tayer highlighted the comprehensive plan devised under Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s leadership, positioning DEWA as a driving force in sustainable development.

Furthermore, Al Tayer noted that DEWA’s sustainability projects contribute to the UAE’s preparations for hosting COP28, with the Hatta hydroelectric plant playing a crucial role in diversifying energy sources and investing in energy storage. He emphasized COP28 as an opportunity to showcase the UAE as an ecotourism destination and highlight the nation’s success in sustainability.

Explaining the operational mechanism, Al Tayer detailed that the hydroelectric station would utilize water from the Hatta Dam and a newly constructed upper reservoir. Innovative turbines would harness clean energy during off-peak hours, pumping water from the dam to the upper reservoir. Subsequently, turbines powered by the waterfall’s speed would generate electricity through a subterranean water canal. This efficient system boasts a power generation and storage efficiency of up to 78.9%, responding rapidly to electricity demand within 90 seconds.