8 of the world records for CSP industry made by Noor Energy 1
- World largest single-site investment project in CSP based on IPP model—USD 4.4 billion (AED 15.78 billion)
- World largest capacity of single CSP+PV project—950MW
- World largest area of single CSP+PV project—44 square kilometers
- World biggest quantity of molten salt used in single CSP project—550,000 tons
- World tallest CSP tower—260m
- World leading tower wireless heliostat technology—70,000 heliostats
- World largest trough in commercial CSP project—8.2m
- Most competitive LCOE—USD 7.3 cents /kWh
The Dubai 950MW CSP+PV solar complex is the fourth phase of Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai, which will reach a total capacity of 5,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030. Noor Energy 1 takes use of three technologies to produce 950MW of clean energy — 600MW from three parabolic trough CSP plants, 100MW from a solar tower, and 250MW will be generated from photovoltaic panels.
As CSP Focus reported earlier, the base concrete of the CSP tower has been completed this March, and the work is progressing according to the set timetable for this project that will contribute to Dubai’s transformation into a global clean and renewable energy hub, and accelerate its shift towards solar power.
Milestones of Dubai 950MW Noor Energy 1 CSP+PV Project
| 2016 | RFP released |
| 2017-1-15 | Bidding announced |
| 2017-6-5 | Bidding open |
| 2017-9-16 | Consortium of ACWA Power and Shanghai Electric won the bid |
| 2018-3-19 | Project Opening Ceremony |
| 2018-4-13 | EPC contract signed in Shanghai |
| 2018-11 | 250MW PV added into the project |
| 2018-12-21 | Approval for project construction |
| 2019-3-7 | Concrete base of Tower complete |
| 2019-3 | Financial Closed |
The expected construction duration lasts 48 months, meaning the overall 700MW CSP project will be completed by the end of 2022 in four years. Separately, the first parabolic trough CSP plant is planned to be operational on August 21, 2021, in 32 months, tower CSP plant finished on November 21, 2021 in 35 months, and the second and third parabolic trough plants to be completed by the end of the year of 2022.
It also achieved the lowest Levelised Cost of Electricity of USD 2.4 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the 250MW photovoltaic solar panels technology, and 2.9 cents in daytime, 9.2 cents in night time for the 700MW CSP technology, the lowest worldwide.
Companies joining Noor Energy 1
The development and construction of the CSP “star project” is led by Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power and China’s Shanghai Electric, up to date, most of the key technology and component suppliers have been confirmed, including several Chinese engineering, construction and manufacturing firms like Northwest Electric Power Design Institute for Tower engineering, Inner Mongolia Electric Power Survey and Design Institute for Trough engineering, and Energy China for installation.
And most of the steel structure for this project is coming from Saudi companies: Tadawul-listed Al Yamamah Steel to supply steel, and Al-Babtain Power & Telecom to supply CSP Solar Structures.
Moreover, some leading CSP companies from mature European and American markets also joined the project playing important roles: Abengoa will be responsible for Trough technology and Solar field construction, and BrightSource for Tower technology, Empresarios Agrupados as engineering consultancy, Rioglass Solar to provide both reflector and receiver tube, Dow Chemical as HTF provider, Aalborg CSP and LOINTEK to provide heat exchangers, CMI for Tower Receiver…
To get the full participants list you may download:
Free report: Dubai 950MW NOOR Energy 1 CSP+PV Project (Apr. 2019)
As the unique professional conference for global CSP peers focusing on MENA region, the 4th CSP Focus MENA 2019（Jun.26-27, Dubai）will be in Dubai again. The project key participants like DEWA, ACWA Power, Shanghai Electric, Abengoa, BrightSource, Empresarios Agrupados, Power China will be attending the event, together with other MENA CSP industry peers like REPDO, Saudi Electricity Company, New and Renewable Energy Authority, KISR, MASEN, TSK, SENER, SEPCO 3, EDF, China Shipbuilding New Power, SUPCON Solar, Royal Tech CSP, Thermax….