Dubai Drops Clean Coal From Its Energy Mix

In October 2021, Dubai launched a strategy for net zero emissions by 2050 in line with the emirate’s commitment to sustainability. The move followed the UAE’s announcement earlier that month of its Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative, which was welcomed by governments and senior officials including UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

To support Dubai’s Net Zero Emissions Strategy 2050, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)—the exclusive provider of electricity and water services in the emirate—converted its only clean-coal power plant to run on natural gas.

Switching to natural gas

The 2,400 MW Hassyan Power Complex, in the south of Dubai, was initially built as a dual-fuel plant with the ability to operate full-time on both natural gas and clean coal. The plant comprises four GE/Alstom 600MW ultra-supercritical boiler, steam turbine and generator units, and was designed to be best-in-class in efficiency, thus minimizing fuel consumption and gas emissions, and it adheres to the most stringent environmental regulations.

The current production capacity of the Hassyan Power Complex is 1,200 MW, using the independent power producer (IPP) model, and a further 600 MW will be added in Q4 of 2022, with an additional 600 MW added by Q3 of 2023.

“This step supports Dubai’s energy supply security by diversifying the energy mix through the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100% of Dubai’s total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050. The move is also in line with international efforts to reduce reliance on high-carbon-emission energy sources. The initiative is consistent with the pivotal role that gas is expected to play in enabling economic growth in the UAE over the next 50 years,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.

“In support of the UAE’s efforts to reduce the effects of global warming and climate change, we are moving steadily with our initiatives that reduce carbon emissions. Dubai has a clear strategy and specific goals to increase the share of renewable and clean energy in the energy mix. The move to convert the Hassyan Power Complex to run on natural gas supports our efforts to diversify energy sources and secure energy supplies to ensure the provision of electricity services according to the highest standards of reliability, availability and efficiency.

Natural gas is a safe and more environmentally friendly source of energy than other fossil fuels. The Hassyan natural gas power complex adds to the Jebel Ali power and water desalination complex, which is one of the main pillars for providing Dubai with reliable, efficient and high-quality electricity and water services. The Hassyan Power Complex adopts the latest technologies in energy production. The power plant’s turbines were originally designed to operate on dual fuels: gas and clean coal. So, when we decided to convert the complex to run on natural gas, there was no downtime and the conversion process went smoothly,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA and Chairman of Hassyan Energy.

Jebel Ali has a total production capacity of 9,547 MW of electricity. DEWA’s total production capacity is now 13,417 MW, which includes 1,527 MW of renewable energy generated by photovoltaic solar panels at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.

Hassyan Energy Company, a joint venture between DEWA (51%) and a consortium of ACWA Power, Harbin Electric and the Silk Road Fund (49%), is operating the Hassyan Power Complex based on the IPP model.

“Hassyan Energy endorses fully the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the decision of DEWA in encouraging and promoting cleaner energy initiatives and reducing emissions. Hassyan Energy is proud to contribute to the success of Dubai toward its goal of a future carbon-neutral economy,” said Mohammad Abunayyan, Chairman of Acwa Power and board member of Hassyan Energy.

An action plan for net zero

According to a study approved by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, achieving net zero carbon emissions requires action across all major sectors, its recommendations include:

• The power and water sector rolling out solar generation at scale, as well as investing in energy storage, carbon capture for fossil-fuel power plants, demand flexibilization, green hydrogen for power and water production, and seawater reverse osmosis (RO) plants that utilize clean energy for water production.
• The transportation sector prioritizing more stringent vehicle efficiency standards, switching to electric and hydrogen fuel vehicles and increasing utilization of public transport.
• The industrial sector switching from using fossil fuels from the grid to utilizing green hydrogen and solar heat for industrial processes.
• The construction sector focusing on efficient cooling for buildings and maximizing energy efficiency for new buildings.
• The waste management sector investing in landfill gas capture, recycling and carbon capture for waste-to-energy plants.

The Hassyan Power Complex includes a water desalination project with a production capacity of 120 Million Imperial gallons per day, using RO technology and the independent water producer (IWP) model. New RO projects are currently underway, as this technology, which uses less energy compared to the multi-stage flash process, is the best option for water desalination.