DEWA's Hatta Hydroelectric Power Plant 94.15% Complete

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced significant progress on its ambitious pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Hatta, with the project now 94.15% complete. The power plant is a key part of DEWA's strategy to diversify Dubai’s energy mix and is slated to begin trial operations in the first quarter of 2025. 

The plant is designed to provide an efficient energy storage solution with an impressive 78.9% turnaround efficiency. It utilizes the potential energy of water stored in the upper dam, which is 72 meters high, and converts it into kinetic energy as the water flows down a 1.2-kilometer subterranean tunnel. The kinetic energy drives turbines that generate electrical power, which can be fed into the grid within 90 seconds to meet peak demand. 

In preparation for the plant’s full operation, DEWA has completed the filling of the upper dam and continues to install the necessary generators. The power station will have a production capacity of 250 megawatts (MW) and a storage capacity of 1,500 megawatt-hours, which will ensure that it can efficiently meet fluctuating electricity demand. The plant is expected to have a lifespan of up to 80 years. 

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This project, which has an estimated investment of AED 1.421 billion, is the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf region. The hydroelectric power plant is part of DEWA’s broader plans to integrate renewable energy sources, such as solar power from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, into the plant’s energy cycle. The clean energy from the solar park will be used to pump water back into the upper dam, allowing the facility to function efficiently and sustainably.

DEWA’s project is aligned with Dubai’s long-term sustainable development vision, supporting the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. The plant is also expected to play a crucial role in creating new employment opportunities in the region, particularly for Emiratis. With an expected full completion by the end of the second quarter of 2025, the Hatta hydroelectric power plant will be a pioneering step in energy storage and a significant addition to Dubai’s energy infrastructure.