Hatta Hydroelectric Power Plant Commences Electricity Exports To Dubai With 250 MW Capacity

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has commenced trial operations at the pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Hatta. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, announced that electricity is now being exported from this facility to Dubai. During the initial testing phase, the plant generated over 17,921 megawatt-hours of energy.

Al Tayer's visit to the project site included a review of the final stages of work. He was accompanied by Nasser Lootah, Executive Vice President of Generation (Power & Water) at DEWA, Khalifa Al Bedwawi, Project Manager, and other team members. The plant is designed with a production capacity of 250 megawatts (MW) and a storage capacity of 1,500 megawatt-hours. It is expected to operate for up to 80 years.

This project aligns with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's vision for sustainable development in Dubai. It supports both the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. These strategies aim for all energy production in Dubai to come from clean sources by 2050.

Al Tayer inspected various components during his visit, including the power generation station located 60 metres underground. He observed the operation of two main water valves, each weighing around 110 tonnes. Additionally, he visited the command and control centre and witnessed an operational test involving water pumping and power generation.

The upper dam constructed by DEWA as part of this project covers a water surface area of 210,000 square metres. It includes two compressed concrete walls: a main wall standing 72 metres high and extending 225 metres long, alongside a side wall measuring 37 metres high. This dam can store approximately 5.3 million cubic metres (1,166 million gallons) of water.

The hydroelectric plant in Hatta represents an investment of about AED1.42 billion by DEWA to diversify energy production through renewable sources like solar photovoltaic panels and concentrated solar power. The plant uses stored water from both the Hatta Dam and upper dam to generate electricity with a turnaround efficiency rate of 78.9 percent.

Energy Conversion Process

Water stored in the upper dam flows through a 1.2-kilometre subterranean tunnel, converting potential energy into kinetic energy that rotates turbines. This mechanical energy is then transformed into electrical energy within just 90 seconds to meet demand on DEWA’s grid.

To store energy efficiently, clean power from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park pumps water back up to the upper dam. This process converts electrical power into kinetic energy once more.

The peak electricity demand in Hatta is around 39 MW; any surplus will be sent to Dubai's grid. This initiative underscores DEWA’s commitment to enhancing renewable energy capabilities within Dubai while supporting broader sustainability goals across the Emirate.

With inputs from WAM