HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer reviews progress at the hydroelectric power station in Hatta

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) visited the hydroelectric power station in Hatta to review work progress of the project, which is the first of its kind in the GCC region. The 250MW station will generate electricity by making use of the water stored in Hatta Dam. It will have a storage capacity of 1,500 MWh and a life span of 80 years.

HE Al Tayer was accompanied by Nasser Lootah, EVP-Generation at DEWA, Mansoor Alsuwaidi, VP- Projects Generation at DEWA ,  Khalifa Albedwawi, the project manager, and the project’s team.

Al Tayer toured the Visitors’ Centre and checked the hydropower plant units. He was briefed about the service tunnelling operations which were complete. Each tunnel is 500 metre long.

The visit also included inspecting the construction works progress of the project’s upper dam. The hydroelectric power station will use water in the Hatta Dam and an upper reservoir that is being built in the mountain.

“We are guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development across Dubai. Hatta will become a clean energy exporter , as the hydroelectric power station project contributes to achieving the goals of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to provide 75% of Dubai’s total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050. It also promotes Dubai’s position as a global hub for clean energy and green economy,” said Al Tayer.

“The pumped-storage hydroelectric power station, which is the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf region, reflects the directives of the wise leadership to protect natural resources and increase the share of clean and renewable energy. The pumped-storage hydroelectric power station in Hatta is a testament to the importance DEWA gives to innovation and developing new ideas to electricity generation and storage,” added Al Tayer.

Al Tayer emphasised the importance of protecting the Hatta Natural Reserve, noting that the project uses the latest and safest drilling technologies to fit Hatta’s geological features while following the highest international environmental standards. The project has so far included more than 2,100,000 safe working hours without injuries.

This strategic project will contribute to providing job opportunities for Emirati citizens in Hatta, developing Hatta and meeting its social, economic, and environmental needs.

The hydropower plant mechanism includes the use of advanced turbines to pump water from the dam to the upper reservoir during off-peak hours. Turbines operated by the speed of waterfall from the upper reservoir will be used to generate electricity through a 1.2 kilometre subterranean water canal, with high efficiency in power generation and storage, and with a 90-second response to demand for electricity.

DEWA awarded the construction contract of the pumped-storage hydroelectric power station at Hatta to a consortium that includes Strabag AG, Strabag Dubai LLC, Andritz Hydro, and Ozkar. Électricité de France (EDF) is the consultant of the project, which is scheduled to be commissioned by February 2024.