Published: Thu 16 Nov 2023, 10:33 PM
Updated: Thu 16 Nov 2023, 10:34 PM
The world''s largest single-site solar power plant has been inaugurated in Abu Dhabi ahead of the UAE hosting COP28.
Located 35km from the city, the landmark 2GW Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic Independent Power Project was built in a single phase and generates enough electricity to power almost 200,000 homes, displacing 2.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year.
The plant spans more than 20 sq.km. of desert and created 4,500 jobs during the peak of the construction phase. It uses almost 4 million solar panels, which deploy innovative bi-facial technology, ensuring sunlight is captured on both sides of the panels to maximise yield.
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) developed the project along with its partners Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), EDF Renewables and JinkoPower. Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) is the procurement firm.
Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, unveiled the project, which is already supplying clean, emissions-free electricity to the UAE national grid. Lt. General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, was also present.
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Sheikh Hazza reaffirmed that the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is proceeding with its strategic plans to enhance its energy security by implementing a diverse range of flexible energy generation that is contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions, while also advancing the economy.
"As the UAE prepares to host COP28, this pioneering project reflects the country''s ongoing commitment to raising its share of clean energy, reducing its carbon emissions, and supporting the global efforts on climate action."
In less than 15 years, the UAE has become a global leader in solar energy. In 2009, Masdar switched on the country''s first solar project at 10MW – today, Al Dhafra Solar PV represents a plant that is 200 times that size. As the countdown to COP28 in the UAE begins, this mega project initially achieved the world''s lowest tariff at financial close, and demonstrates the country''s longstanding commitment to decarbonisation, at home and around the world.
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Chairman of Masdar and COP28 President-Designate, said: "With just days to go before the start of COP28, I will be asking the world to unite and deliver the energy transition by tripling renewables capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030. Al Dhafra is an example of the scale of the ambition needed around the world."
The UAE is also a world leader in solar energy use, according to the latest data from The Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy, ranking second globally in terms of per capita solar energy consumption. In under a decade, the country has surpassed leading nations by installing solar energy, as part of the country''s energy diversification.
The delivery of the project was made possible after global energy leaders formed a strategic partnership and harnessed their combined expertise. Al Dhafra Solar PV, planned and procured by EWEC, has broken records in terms of cost for utility-scale solar projects. Initially, the project led to one of the most competitive tariffs for solar power set at Dh4.97 fils/kWh (1.35 cents/kWh), which upon financial close, was further improved to Dh4.85 fils/kWh (1.32 cents/kWh).
UAE state-owned renewable energy developer Masdar has inaugurated the 2GW Al Dhafra Solar solar PV project in Abu Dhabi.
Encompassing about four million bi-facial solar modules, the project will supply power to the procurer of the project, Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), as both companies signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) in 2020.
Masdar claimed that this project is the world’s largest single-site solar PV plant. After adding this project to the UAE’s solar portfolio, the country’s solar power production capacity will increase to 3.2GW.
Located 35 kilometres from Abu Dhabi city, the project was co-developed with Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, French power company EDF Renewables and Chinese solar developer JinkoPower. Masdar added that the solar modules were installed at an average rate of 10MW a day during construction.
“This world-leading solar project demonstrates remarkable progress in solar power efficiency, innovation and cost competitiveness. Al Dhafra is an example of the scale of the ambition needed around the world,” said Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, chairman of Masdar.
In July, Solar Module Super League member (SMSL) Trina Solardelivered 800MW of solar modulesto the 2GW Al Dhafra PV plant. The Chinese company delivered its 210mm Vertex modules to the China Machinery Engineering Corporation for deployment at the Al Dhafra plant.
Tracker manufacturer Arctech alsosecured a supply dealwith China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) for the Al Dhafra PV plant in Abu Dhabi. Arctech provided its flagship SkySmart II trackers, which, according to the company, are capable of coping with high temperatures and a harsh environment at the project site.
Apart from this project, Masdar recently also inauguratedthe 145MWac (192MWp) Cirata floating solar PV (FPV) plantin the West Java province of Indonesia. This is Masdar’s FPV project and its first entry into Southeast Asia.
Masdar also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with PLN to develop Cirata phase II which would add up to 500MW capacity.
Earlier this month, a consortium comprising renewables developers – Masdar and EDF Renewables – and Saudi conglomerate Nesma Company signed a PPA with the Saudi Power Procurement Company forthe planned 1.1GW Al Henakiyah Solar Plantin Saudi Arabia. The Al Henakiyah project is expected to reach a financial close in late 2024 and start operating in 2025.
EWEC also invited applications from companies to developa 1.5GWdc solar PV projectlocated in the Al Khazna area of Abu Dhabi in September.
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