DEWA’s Hatta Hydroelectric Plant to Begin Supplying Clean Energy in April

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced that its pioneering pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Hatta will commence gradual energy export to Dubai in April 2025.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, confirmed that operational tests began in January 2025 as part of the project’s final phases.

During an inspection visit, Al Tayer reviewed the progress of the plant, which is 96.82% complete. This facility is the first of its kind in the GCC region and is designed to generate electricity using water stored in the Hatta Dam and a newly constructed upper dam in the mountains. With an investment of AED 1.421 billion, the plant boasts a production capacity of 250 megawatts (MW), a storage capacity of 1,500 megawatt-hours, and an operational lifespan of up to 80 years.

Al Tayer emphasized that the project aligns with Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, which aim to achieve 100% clean energy generation by mid-century. He highlighted DEWA’s broader initiatives in diversifying renewable energy sources, including solar photovoltaic panels, concentrated solar power, and green hydrogen production.

During his visit, Al Tayer was briefed on recent construction updates, including the completion of generator installations. Trial operations are scheduled for the first quarter of 2025. The upper dam, which features a 72-meter-high main wall and a 37-meter-high side dam, has already been filled in preparation for testing.

Designed as an energy storage facility, the plant boasts a turnaround efficiency of 78.9%. It operates by utilizing stored water’s potential energy, converting it into electricity within 90 seconds when needed. Excess solar energy from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will be used to pump water back to the upper dam, ensuring a sustainable energy cycle.

News Source: Emirates News Agency