Dubai, UAE, 5 June 2015

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has welcomed 48 students from the engineering department of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) to its headquarters. A part of planned educational tours by students, the visitors toured the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and DEWA's Sustainable Building in Al Quoz, and learned about DEWA's facilities, administrative and operational mechanisms, new development projects, the latest technologies, technical solutions and best practices.

"In line with the objectives of the Dubai Plan 2021 to establish Dubai as a smart and sustainable city, DEWA hosts field visits for educational institutions, to provide support to students of the energy sector, and introduce them to leading energy projects in Dubai, as well as the latest technologies," said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

"The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is implemented by DEWA, is one of the world's largest strategic renewable energy projects based on the independent power producer model. It will eventually have a production capacity of 3,000 MW by 2030. The first phase has a capacity of 13 MW and the second phase will have a capacity of 200 MW in 2017. The complex will include a Research and Development Centre, Solar Energy Centre, Innovation Centre, Educational University and Training Centre," added Al Tayer.

The students visited the Sustainable Building in Al Quoz, the first sustainable government building in the UAE, and the largest in the world to get a platinum rating for green buildings from LEED. The building contributes to reducing power use by 66% and water by 48%, and uses renewable energy from a 660kW solar power plant.

Following the tour, the HCT students were given an overview of DEWA's plans and projects, particularly in the renewable energy. The students thanked DEWA for the reception and expressed their admiration for the projects and initiatives launched by DEWA to support the sustainable development of Dubai and the region's renewable energy sector.

-Ends-

For more information, please contact:
Ribal Dayekh/Noora Khoory    
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority 
+9714 515 1784 
ribal.dayekh@dewa.gov.ae 
noora.khoory@dewa.gov.ae 
               
Mutasem Shadid/Mazen Alebrahem
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
+9714 450 7675/450 7613
Mutasem.shadid@bm.com
Mazen.Alebrahem@bm.com

© Press Release 2015