PPC eyeing Dubai pumped storage hydropower project

The main power utility PPC is preparing to submit an offer for the construction of a 250-MW pumped storage hydropower plant (PSHPP) in Hatta, southeast of Dubai City.

The project, estimated to be worth over 450 million euros, is planned to utilize water at the Al Hattawi dam in Hatta, near the UAE’s border with Oman.

PPC aims to take part in the project’s tender as the head of a consortium including Archirodon Construction (Overseas) Co Ltd. and Hitachi – Mitsubishi Hydro Corporation.

The project description includes construction of a higher-elevation reservoir with a storage capacity of 880 million gallons, 300 meters above the Al Hattawi dam, whose storage capacity measures 1.72 billion gallons of water. The dam lies 400 meters above sea level. The distance between the existing dam and prospective higher-elevation reservoir will be approximately 3 to 4 kilometers.

During off-peak hours, turbines are planned to pump water from the existing dam to the higher-elevation reservoir, utilizing solar energy.

Last June, DEWA, the state-run Dubai Electricity and Water Authority commissioned EDF, at a price of 15.8 million dollars, to prepare plans for the project, including design, geological, hydrygeological, environmental and excavation studies.  DEWA announced the completion of this stage in November.

An initial November 18, 2018 deadline has been extended to January 13 following requests by participants.

PPC and Archirodon, a Dutch group headquartered in Dordrecht, are joining forces for the first time following the signing of a MoU for a five-year partnership, announced last October.

Archirodon has maintained an international presence, offering EPC services, for approximately 60 years, including in the Middle East and North Africa regions.