Dubai International Baja has set the record as the first FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) World Cup cross-country event to be run on solar power. The event, which kicked off yesterday and will continue until tomorrow, comes as the result of a partnership between the Emirates Motor Sports Organization (EMSO) and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa). The rally kicked off Dewa’s Innovation Centre located at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa, who was present at the event, said in a statement: “Our cooperation with the Emirates Motorsports Organization and the International Automobile Federation comes in line with our ongoing efforts to enhance Dubai’s position as an international pioneer in developing the clean and renewable energy sector, and in finding alternative solutions to conventional energy. This supports the sustainable development of the Emirate.” EMSO President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA Vice President for Sport, also said: “The use of this facility means that electrical power provided to Rally HQ and the Service Park to run the event is generated from sustainable solar power.” The Park has a planned production capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030, with investments totalling Dh50 billion ($13.6 billion). When completed, it will save over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The event is taking place under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, and is sponsored by Dewa, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and Arabian Automobiles Nissan.
