Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced that its 250 MW pumped hydropower storage project in Hatta will begin trial operations in the first quarter of 2025. The AED1.421 billion (~$387 million) project is claimed to be the first project of its kind in the Arabian Gulf region.

Construction of the project is now over 94% complete. The project will have a storage capacity of 1,500 MWh. It employs 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 project 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 project operates with an energy turnaround efficiency of 78.9%, which makes it 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 project 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 aligns with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050.

DEWA’s hydroelectric plant is scheduled for full completion by the end of the second quarter of 2025. In 2022, DEWA said it planned to invest AED40 billion (~$10.88 billion) in capital expenditure in the next five years on expanding renewable and clean energy projects.

The United Arab Emirates government approved the updated UAE National Energy Strategy, which aims to triple the contribution of renewable energy by 2030.