Abu Dhabi is pressing ahead with plans to nearly triple solar capacity by mid-2022. Bids are in for the 2GW Al Dhafra Solar PV photovoltaic project, and state utility Adpower announced on 28 April that it had received a world record low levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) bid. Once operational, solar capacity will be 3.28GW.

Adpower says the first-ranked bidder offered a tariff of just US¢1.35/kWh, well below the previous record of US¢1.57/kWh for Qatar’s Al Kharsaah awarded in January (MEES, 24 January). Dubai’s Dewa, which secured an earlier record bid of US¢1.70/kWh for the 900MW Phase 5 of the MBR Solar Park 50km south of Dubai city, signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with Saudi firm Acwa Power on 29 April (MEES, 29 November 2019). (CONTINUED - 340 WORDS)