DUBAI, May 1 (Xinhua) -- A 200MW solar power project was inaugurated on Tuesday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) state news agency WAM reported.
The project is the first stage of the 800MW third phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park built by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), WAM said.
The second and third stages, which have a capacity of 300MW each, will be completed in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive officer of DEWA, hailed the major solar power project as the UAE's efforts to strengthen its leading global position in clean energy.
"This solar plant is the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa, with an advanced solar tracking system to increase generation efficiency," Al Tayer said.
"It also uses unique technologies including over 800,000 self-cleaning solar cells that maintain a high-performance level," he added.
The project will provide electricity for more than 60,000 residences, reducing over 270,000 tons of carbon emissions every year.
According to the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, 7 percent of Dubai's total power output will come from clean energy by 2020, 25 percent by 2030 and 75 percent by 2050.
