Dubai The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) said Wednesday it has awarded ILF engineers a consultancy contract for the development of Dubai's Dh12 billion 1,000 megawatt solar energy park, as well as the construction of a 10 MW solar project.

Six international companies entered bids last Nov-ember, Dewa said in an emailed statement.

The 1,000 megawatt solar energy park is expected to begin generating electricity by the end of 2013. The first solar project in the park, to be operated under the supervision of Dewa, will cost Dh120 million and will be fully funded by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.

Dubai is set to hold an international tender by June 2012 to award contracts for the first project, while the contract for the 10MW project is expected to be awarded by the third quarter of 2012, Saeed Al Tayer, vice-chairman of Dubai's Supreme Council of Energy, said last month.

Electricity generation at the 10MW project is expected to start by the fourth quarter of 2013, according to project officials.