Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) announced that the 200MW second phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park has the potential to issue almost 400,000 International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) in 2017 in line with the I-REC Standard. These I-RECs are equivalent to 400,000 megawatt hours of clean energy and contribute to the reduction of 170,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. I-RECs are an important choice for buyers of green power, as they serve as the currency for renewable energy markets. They can be bought and sold between multiple parties and can be used to claim that renewable electricity was produced to meet the electricity demand they create.
The Thermal Energy Storage and Turbine Inlet Air Cooling (TESTIAC) system in Jebel Ali has the potential to generate 7,865 Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) in line with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)-backed Clean Development Mechanism.
Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence (Dubai Carbon) issued the I-RECs associated with the I-REC standard for the 200MW second phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park as the local I-REC issuer. Registered as CDM projects, both are the first of their kind to be approved by the UNFCCC. The UNFCCC registered the 200MW second phase of the solar park as a CDM project on 12 October 2015 with the potential of generating carbon credits for an initial term of 7 years. The TESTIAC Project was registered on 14 November 2012, with the potential of generating carbon credits for a total of 10 years.
“These projects are part of international efforts by DEWA to tackle global warming, and support the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into a global hub for clean energy and green economy. This supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which was launched by His Highness to make Dubai the city with the lowest carbon footprint by 2050, and the Carbon Abatement Strategy to reduce carbon emissions by 16% by 2021,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
“We are committed to working closely with national and international organisations, most notably the United Nations, to establish clear frameworks for reducing carbon emissions through the implementation of development and strategic projects for the rational use of traditional energy sources and the adoption of renewable and clean sources of energy. DEWA is contributing to the process of sustainability in Dubai by implementing large-scale energy projects and enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of electricity and water networks,” concluded Al Tayer.