(Image Credit: Power Technology)
Solar PV is on an incredible rise in the UAE.
In Abu Dhabi projects continue to be developed in the region.
The Al Dhafra solar project is the most significant solar site in Abu Dhabi. It is a 2GW capacity independent producer project (iPP) located 35km south of Abu Dhabi City.
The project is currently developed under a public-private partnership scheme with 60% of the project owned by government owned electricity companies Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) and Masdor.
The remaining 40% of the project is owned by EDF Renewables and Jinko Power.
A 30year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) was signed by all 4 project stakeholders with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) to sell the electricity generated.
Overall, the project could take Abu Dhabi’s solar capacity to 3.2GW.
In its construction phase, the project created 4000 jobs for the local community.
Once fully operational, the Al Dhafra solar project is set to provide electricity to 160,000 homes across the UAE and cut carbon emissions by more than 2.4million tonnes a year.
Jinko Solar provide the Crystalline Bifacial PV models to ensure a better yield, achieving 22.49% efficiency.
The Al Dhafra solar project is a part of the UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050, where the region is targeting to increase its total share of the energy mix to 50%, from 25%, by 2050.
Two other solar plants in Abu Dhabi include:
The 100MW Shams 1 solar plant. This was the first solar plant of its kind when it was launched in 2013 and currently powers 20,000 households in the UAE.
The 1.17GW Noor Abu Dhabi solar plant is one of the world’s largest plants currently operational. With 3.2million solar panels working on the site, it has the operational capabilities to power 90,000 homes.
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