Phase A of the 900-MEGAwatt photovoltaic (PV) phase 5 of Dubai's Maktoum Solar Park, A key project of the Belt and Road Initiative, has been officially connected to the grid with full capacity.

The dubai Maktoum Solar Park phase 5 900 MW photovoltaic project is located in the desert hinterland, approximately 65 km south of downtown Dubai, UAE, covering an area of 10.17 square kilometers. It will be constructed in three phases, phase A with 300 MW and supporting 132 kV booster station. The Dubai company of China Railway 18th Engineering Bureau is responsible for earthwork excavation and backfilling of the project, laying of precast concrete cable trench and cover plate, grounding wire, etc.

Since the construction started in October 2020, in the face of severe overseas epidemic situation, the project team has overcome many difficulties such as epidemic situation, high temperature and heat wave, rising price of raw materials, and actively organized construction and production. The excavation speed of "one kilometer in seven days" has been achieved, and a smooth road has been opened in the bleak and continuous sand dunes, meeting the requirements of power transmission time node. This ensures the smooth realization of full capacity grid-connected power generation in phase A of the project.

It is reported that the project will provide about 2.268 billion kilowatt hours of electricity annually to the local area, reduce carbon emissions by 1.18 million tons, and provide clean electricity for 270,000 local households.