World’s Largest Individual Solar Project Now Operational in Abu Dhabi

EWEC has started operation of the 1.18 GW Noor Abu Dhabi solar project, the largest individual solar power project in the world.

The world’s largest single solar plant, Noor Abu Dhabi, with a production capacity of nearly 1,177 MW commences commercial operation – a major milestone for the future of #sustainablenergy pic.twitter.com/HHVMyaMXYY

— المكتب الإعلامي لحكومة أبوظبي (@admediaoffice) June 29, 2019

The Emirate Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has started operation of the 1.18 GW Noor Abu Dhabi solar project, the largest individual solar power project in the world. At 1,177 MW of peak capacity, it’s only eclipsed by solar parks, where multiple projects share space.

According to the company’s estimates, the projects 3.2 million solar panels will provide enough power for 90,000 people, and will lower CO2 emissions by 1 million metric tonnes. The equivalent of pulling 200,000 cars off the roads, according to the emirate.

Speaking at the launch, Mohammed Hassan Al Suwaidi, Chairman of Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) said, “the completion of the project marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050, launched in 2017, to increase the contribution of clean energy in the total energy mix to 50 percent by 2050 while reducing the carbon footprint of power generation by 70 percent”

“This is in line with the sector’s transformation strategy by providing alternative sources of energy that can help us improve the sustainability of the water and electricity sector.”

Othman Jumaa Al Ali, EWEC’s CEO, added: “Noor Abu Dhabi will generate renewable energy and will enable us to improve the use of our natural resources. The fact that a project of such scale has been successfully completed on time and on budget highlights our commitment to ensuring sustainable energy for the future and it is a true testament of the Emirate’s delivery capabilities to execute world-class energy project.”

The UAE has long been known for its natural gas resources, however, projects such as Noor Abu Dhabi will go a long way to not just preserving those resources, but establishing the UAE as a green energy frontrunner.

“Noor Abu Dhabi will further contribute to the UAE’s renewable sector, exponentially increasing the existing solar capacity of Abu Dhabi, as well as adding to the continuously growing solar capacity of the UAE,” Ali added.