Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa) has retendered a contract to build its solar innovation centre.

The original bids did not show a high enough technical standard.

The deadline for new proposals is 15 June.

“It is a unique design and specifications and it is zero-waste with very sophisticated technologies,” says a spokesperson for Dewa.  “There were no strong companies and the quality of bids was not high enough for this one of a kind building, so we invited more international and local contractors to bid again.”

The contract for design and project management consultancy on the solar innovation centre was awarded to the US’ Ted Jacobs Engineering Group in July 2014. UK architect Kettle Collective prepared its sustainable design.

The 3,800-square-metre building was scheduled to be completed in November.

The original bidders in February 2015 were:

• China Harbour Engineering (China) – AED85.9m ($23m)
• Hadeed Emirates Contracting Company – AED90.1m
• Arco General Contracting (local) – AED102.9m
• Green Oasis General Contracting (local) – AED138.6m
• China Railway 18^th Bureau (China) – AED139.9m
• Simplex Infrastructure (India) – AED146.5m

Another three bids were rejected.

The solar innovation centre will be the centrepiece of Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum Solar Park. 200MW of solar photovoltaic capacity is currently under development at the park.

Dewa will tender another 800MW by the end of 2015, as it works to achieve 15 per cent of its energy mix from solar power by 2030, or 3,000MW.