The United Arab Emirates has launched the Al Dhafra solar farm – now the world''s largest single-site solar farm – ahead of COP28.
The 2-gigawatt (GW) solar farm is 22 miles (35 km) from Abu Dhabi and features almost 4 million bifacial solar panels. It will power nearly 200,000 homes and eliminate over 2.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
It created 4,500 jobs during the peak of the construction phase, and the solar panels were installed at an average rate of 10 megawatts (MW) a day during construction.
Al Dhafra was jointly developed by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), French power company EDF Renewables, and Chinese solar developer JinkoPower.
TAQA owns 40% of the project, and Masdar, EDF Renewables, and Jinko Power each own 20%. The solar farm will supply power to Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) following a 2020 power purchase agreement.
The UAE is hosting COP28 in Dubai, which kicks off on November 30, so, understandably, its rulers would time the launch of the world''s largest solar farm just ahead of that event – it''s simply good PR.
UAE is rightly being criticized for putting the CEO of its state oil company, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company – the world''s 12th-biggest oil company by production – in charge of COP28. It''s also being criticized for hosting COP28 yet having an all-of-the-above approach to energy.
"It says it will become carbon neutral by 2050, but how it will do that on 50% fossil fuels is anyone''s guess."
... I assume it''s because they will only track Scope 1 emissions in their net-zero claim. These Scope 1 emissions don''t include the carbon-gasses released when the fuel source is actually burned. Those are considered Scope 3 emissions which make up about 90% of all carbon-based energy emissions.
Read more: In a first, US solar will generate more electricity than hydropower in 2024
If you''re considering going solar, it''s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it''s free to use, and you won''t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online, and you''ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –ad*
Michelle Lewis is a writer and editor on Electrek and an editor on DroneDJ, 9to5Mac, and 9to5Google. She lives in White River Junction, Vermont. She has previously worked for Fast Company, the Guardian, News Deeply, Time, and others. Message Michelle on Twitter or at michelle@9to5mac . Check out her personal blog.
Abu Dhabi has inaugurated one of the world''s largest solar projects ahead of the COP28 climate conference, which will be hosted by the UAE.
The two-gigawatt Al Dhafra plant could reduce the city''s carbon dioxide emissions by over 2.4 million tonnes a year – equivalent to removing about 470,000 cars from the road.
The project will raise Abu Dhabi''s solar power production capacity to 3.2 gigawatts.
"We are witnessing, day after day, project after project, that the UAE is at the global forefront of developing and adopting innovative clean energy solutions."
The project has been developed by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, better known as Taqa, in partnership with clean energy company Masdar, France''s EDF Renewables and China''s Jinko Power.
The United Arab Emirates has announced its plans to invest up to $54bn (£45bn) over the next seven years to meet its energy demands.
Japanese lunar exploration company ispace will work with the UAE''s space centre to transport a rover to the Moon in 2022, amid the state''s push to expand its space sector.
The UAE''s Hope probe is expected to reach Mars tomorrow, just hours before China''s orbiter-rover combo and a week ahead of Nasa''s probe.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) plans to send an unmanned spacecraft to the Moon in 2024, according to a senior official.
In print
E-newsletters
About United arab emirates first solar
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in United arab emirates first solar have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient United arab emirates first solar for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various United arab emirates first solar featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
