Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced that its hydroelectric power plant in Hatta is now 94.15% complete, with trial operations slated to begin in the first quarter of 2025.
The pumped-storage hydropower plant, built at a cost of AED 1.421 billion (approximately $387 million), is the first project of its kind in the Arabian Gulf region, and is expected to have a significant contribution to Dubai’s clean energy transition.
The plant, which will have a production capacity of 250 megawatts (MW) and a storage capacity of 1,500 megawatt-hours (MWh), is designed to store energy and meet electricity demands swiftly and efficiently. Employing a 72-meter-high main wall and a 37-meter-high side dam, the upper reservoir is now fully filled in preparation for testing.
By harnessing the potential energy of water stored at an elevated location, the hydroelectric plant converts water flow into kinetic energy as it moves through a 1.2-kilometer subterranean tunnel. This energy then powers turbines to generate electricity, which can be delivered to DEWA’s grid within 90 seconds to satisfy peak demand.
The plant operates with an energy turnaround efficiency of 78.9%, positioning it as a highly effective solution for energy storage.
The project will also use clean energy produced at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park to pump water back to the upper dam, completing the energy cycle. The approach ensures that the plant operates with minimal environmental impact while boosting Dubai’s renewable energy capabilities.
With a projected operational lifespan of up to 80 years, DEWA’s Hatta hydroelectric project underpins Dubai’s commitment to sustainable energy. It aligns with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, which aim to transform Dubai into a clean energy hub.
The project is also part of a broader vision to develop Hatta, focusing on sustainable growth and generating new job opportunities for UAE citizens in the region.
DEWA’s hydroelectric plant is scheduled for full completion by the end of the second quarter of 2025.
Dubai is intensifying ambition to diversify its energy sources by leveraging advanced renewable technologies such as solar photovoltaic systems, concentrated solar power, and green hydrogen production.
The hydroelectric power plant is widely expected to set a new benchmark for renewable energy infrastructure development in the GCC.
