250 MW pumped hydropower storage project in UAE will soon begin trial operations

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced that its 250 MW pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Hatta will start trial operations in Q1 of 2025.

The AED1.421 billion (US$387 million) hydroelectric project is over 94% complete and will have a storage capacity of 1,500 MWh. The project features a 72-meter-high main wall and a 37-meter-high side dam. The hydroelectric system converts water flow through a 1.2-km underground tunnel into kinetic energy, which drives turbines to produce electricity. This energy can be supplied to DEWA’s grid within 90 seconds to meet peak demand.

The hydroelectric plant serves as an energy storage system with a turnaround efficiency of 78.9%. It will use renewable energy generated at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park to pump water back to the upper reservoir, completing the energy cycle. This design minimizes environmental impact while enhancing Dubai's renewable energy portfolio. With an expected operational lifespan of 80 years, the project is set for full completion by the end of Q2 2025.