Asia | November 22, 2023

Masdar’s largest single-site solar power plant in Abu Dhabi

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has unveiled the world’s largest single-site solar power plant ahead of the UAE hosting the UN climate change conference, COP28.

 

Masdar’s largest single-site solar power plant in Abu Dhabi

Image for illustration purposes.

UAE, Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has unveiled the world’s largest single-site solar power plant ahead of the UAE hosting the UN climate change conference, COP28.

The 2 GW Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic Independent Power Project is jointly owned by clean energy firm Masdar, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), EDF Renewables from France, and JinkoPower from China, as well as electricity procurer Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC). TAQA holds a 40% stake in the project, and Masdar, EDF Renewables, and JinkoPower each hold 20%. HH Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, said it was already supplying clean, emission-free electricity to the UAE’s national grid.

Located 22 miles (35 km) from Abu Dhabi, this solar plant spans more than 20 km2 of desert land and boasts four million JinkoPower bifacial solar panels, ensuring sunlight is captured on both sides of the panels to maximize yield. The electricity generated will power 200,000 homes and eliminate over 2.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. With Al Dhafra going online, the UAE’s solar power production capacity has reached 3.2 GW.

During the peak of the construction phase, this project created around 4,500 jobs, significantly boosting the local economy. With the plant starting operation, it will supply power to EWEC as per the 2020 power purchase agreement. The plant has reportedly 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 AED 4.97 fils/kWh (USD 1.35 cents/kWh), which was further improved to AED 4.85 fils/kWh (USD 1.32 cents/kWh).

Source: Inceptive Mind