Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has received bids to advise on the development of a solar power pilot in the emirate. About 10 bids were submitted in December 2011, according to a source at Dewa.

The selected developers will advise on the development of a photovoltaic solar project with a capacity of 10MW, as well as help Dewa devise a solar power plan.

Dewa unveiled plans for a 10-100MW solar power pilot in 2010 and appointed Germany’s Lahmeyer to perform site investigations (MEED 1:7:11). These studies are now complete.

The solar power project is part of an overall plan to diversify the emirate’s energy mix. The authority is working with the US’ McKinsey & Company with respect to its Energy Strategy 2030.

In addition to the potential for renewable energy in the emirate, the strategy will consider other options including coal and nuclear power.