Recently, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) officially launched the bidding for the seventh phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park IPP. This mega project, with a planned installed capacity of 2000 megawatts of photovoltaics and 8400 megawatt hours of energy storage, has quickly become the focal battlefield of the global new energy track with its world-class scale and technological requirements. 49 energy giants from around the world have submitted interest letters, among which Chinese companies with full industry chain advantages have entered the competition with strong high-temperature adaptation technology, long-term energy storage solutions, and large-scale project experience, becoming one of the core bidding forces.

As a key support for Dubai's "2050 Clean Energy Strategy", this project adopts the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, with a supporting energy storage system designed for 1400 megawatts of power and 6 hours of continuous discharge, which will completely solve the problem of photovoltaic power generation volatility and achieve stable supply of clean electricity. After the completion of the project, the total installed capacity of the Maktoum Solar Park will exceed 8060 megawatts by 2030, laying a solid foundation for Dubai to achieve its goal of 36% renewable energy share and accelerating the UAE's progress towards the 2050 net zero emissions vision. Dubai's annual average of 3500 hours of ultra long sunshine and 2200 kWh/m ²/year of high radiation intensity provide a unique resource endowment for photovoltaic projects. However, the high temperatures exceeding 50 ° C and frequent sandstorms in summer also pose severe tests on equipment reliability and weather resistance.

In this bidding, the technological advantages of Chinese enterprises are particularly prominent. Based on years of deep cultivation in Dubai and the Middle East market, Chinese enterprises have formed a mature solution that is suitable for extreme desert environments: Huawei's AI dust removal inverter can reduce component attenuation rate by half, JinkoSolar's "Desert Intelligent Components" have super strong dust and temperature resistance, CATL and BYD's liquid cooled energy storage containers can maintain stable operation in high temperature environments, and TBEA's ultra-high voltage cables can resist salt spray erosion. More noteworthy is that the full chain integration capability of Chinese enterprises in large-scale solar energy storage projects has been practically verified. The fourth phase of the Marktum Solar Park project, previously undertaken by Chinese enterprises, as the world's largest solar thermal photovoltaic composite power station, has achieved 24-hour continuous power supply, with a cumulative power generation of over 6.68 billion kWh and a reduction of about 3 million tons of carbon emissions, fully demonstrating the reliability of Chinese technology in ultra large clean energy projects.

In fact, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority has previously organized a delegation to visit Chinese companies such as Huawei, BYD, and Sunac Power to conduct in-depth inspections of their technical strength and project implementation capabilities, laying a solid foundation for Chinese enterprises to participate in bidding. In addition to strong technological capabilities, Chinese enterprises also have significant advantages in cost control and localized cooperation. With a complete industrial chain layout, Chinese photovoltaic modules and energy storage equipment have cost competitiveness in the global market. The localized employment and skill training experience accumulated in projects such as Abu Dhabi PV3 will also help Chinese enterprises better meet the project requirements in Dubai. At present, the bidding has entered a critical stage, and DEWA has issued a formal "Tender Document" to the enterprises that have passed the pre qualification review. The winning bid is expected to be announced in early 2026, and the project plan is to achieve grid connected power generation by the end of 2029.

This peak showdown between global energy giants is not only about the ownership of individual projects, but also about reshaping the technological standards and landscape of the Middle East's new energy market. For Chinese companies, this bidding is not only an important opportunity to expand into overseas high-end markets, but also a stage to showcase the strength of "Chinese intelligent manufacturing". If we can successfully win the bid, it will further consolidate the leading position of Chinese enterprises in the global photovoltaic energy storage field and add another heavyweight achievement to the China Arab Green Silk Road cooperation. As the global energy transition enters a deep-water zone, the advancement of this mega project in Dubai will also provide valuable experience for the integrated development of light storage in extreme environments, accelerate the global process of clean energy substitution, and write a new chapter in the desert energy revolution.Editor/Bian Wenjun