Feature: Chinese-built green energy marvel rises as high-tech oasis in Dubai's desert

by Xinhua writer Duan Minfu

DUBAI, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- In the heart of the desert, 65 km south of Dubai's glittering skyline, a 262-meter solar thermal tower rises from the sands like a futuristic beacon. Surrounding it, a shimmering field of 70,000 heliostats extends radially, their mirrors capturing and directing the sun's rays to a molten salt receiver at the tower's peak.

As the sunlight converges in dazzling beams, the scene resembles a surreal, high-tech oasis where innovation meets the boundless energy of the desert sun.

This is the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai, a key cooperative project to promote the construction of a Green Silk Road between China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In November 2018, Shanghai Electric Group Co., Ltd. undertook the project as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor. With a total installed capacity of 950 MW, including 700 MW of solar thermal-electric power units and 250 MW of photovoltaic power units, the project covers an area of 44 square km, equivalent to over 6,000 standard soccer fields.

As of February this year, all power generation units in the project have been successfully connected to the grid and started commercial operation, with a cumulative electricity generation of 3.5 billion kilowatt-hours. During the construction phase, this project has created approximately 50,000 local jobs.

Omar Al Hassan, executive managing director of the project, told Xinhua that the project supplies green energy to 320,000 local households and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1.6 million tons annually.

"We keep the sun at night and light up Dubai after sunset," said Zhao Hui, the project manager.

The project, he said, utilizes world-leading solar thermal technology, and is capable of consistently and stably converting solar energy into electricity. Unlike traditional photovoltaic power plants, which experience significant load fluctuations in different solar exposure situations and cannot generate power at night, the solar thermal storage plant can store large amounts of heat generated during sunny periods, ensuring stable power generation across day and night, and even under adverse weather conditions.

Zhao said that the project's solar thermal power units use both tower and parabolic trough technologies and feature a wireless power and control system for the heliostats, allowing for wireless smart tracking of the sunlight and enhanced heat collection efficiency. Additionally, the project boasts the world's largest molten salt thermal storage system, with a storage duration of up to 15 hours.

In December 2023, the UAE's Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended the project's inauguration ceremony. "The UAE has a clear vision to transform itself into one of the world's most sustainable nations," he said, referring to the launch of the fourth phase of the solar park as an important milestone in the country's sustainability journey.

Despite its rich oil resources, the UAE has been dedicated to optimizing its energy structure, exploring energy transformation, and establishing itself as a green economic center, which aligns closely with China's commitment to green development.

Last year, unit four of the first clean coal-fired power plant in the Middle East, the Hassyan clean-coal power plant was connected to the grid, followed by the completion and commercial operation of the Al Dhafra solar project in Abu Dhabi, which has an installed capacity of 2.1 GW and the fifth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park's 900 MW photovoltaic project. All these key clean energy projects in the UAE were constructed by Chinese companies, showcasing the fruitful results of the common building of the Green Silk Road and deepening green energy cooperation.

"Promoting energy conservation and achieving emission reduction are both a corporate social responsibility and a common goal for all humanity," said Zhao. "Chinese companies will continue to leverage their technological advantages, advance multilateral technological cooperation, provide Chinese solutions for climate change, and contribute Chinese wisdom to achieving sustainable development."