Shuaa Energy 1

Shuaa Energy 1

The Shuaa Energy 1 200 MW (260 MWp) solar photovoltaic project is a greenfield Independent Power Project (IPP), developed as part of Phase II of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Led by ACWA Power in consortium with TSK Electronica y Electricidad, the plant was constructed using fixed-tilt thin-film solar technology. A 25-year PPA was signed with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) which also holds a 51% equity stake with ACWA Power owning approximately 25% and SILK Road Fund covering the remainder. With a total project cost of around USD 326 million, the plant achieved commercial operation in Q1 2017, directly supplying clean power to the grid. Shuaa Energy 1 set a new benchmark with a record low tariff of USD 5.6 Cents/kWh, marking it as the world’s most cost-competitive utility-scale solar IPP at the time.

Key facts

  • Location

    Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  • Offtaker

    DEWA

  • Capacity

    200MW

  • Technology

    Fixed-tilt thin-film PV panels

  • Project cost

    US$ 326 million

  • Commercial operations date

    March 2017

  • Acwa share

    25%

  • Offtake contract

    25-year PPA

  • Fuel

    Solar

  • Other investors

    DEWA 51% SILK Road Fund 24%

  • Project company

    Shuaa Energy 1

  • Operations & maintenance company

    Acwa Operations

  • Engineering, procurement & construction company

    TSK Electronica y Electricidad