The Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) signed a power purchase agreement with a consortium for the construction of the world鈥檚 largest solar power plant located in the United Arab Emirates, according to a recent statement by the company.
The consortium will be led by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) and Masdar, with partners EDF and JinkoPower.
Upon completion, the solar power plant will have a capacity of 2 gigawatts (GW) in the Al Dhafra region located approximately 35 kilometers from Abu Dhabi.
The plant is also expected to reduce Abu Dhabi鈥檚 CO2 emissions by more than 2.4 million metric tonnes per year, equivalent to removing approximately 470,000 cars from the road.
"We are working to secure long-term energy supply and reinforce solar power鈥檚 integral role in meeting current and future energy needs," Othman Al Ali, chief executive officer of EWEC, was quoted as saying in the statement.
The power plant will begin initial power generation in the first half of 2022 and full generation by the second half of 2022, the statement read.
Jasim Husain Thabet, managing director of 鈥嶵AQA, said the plant would increase Abu Dhabi鈥檚 solar power capacity to approximately 3.2 GW and stressed the project鈥檚 low tariff which would help meet the UAE's ambitious energy objectives outlined in its Energy Strategy 2050.
The Al Dhafra Solar PV project is expected to provide approximately 160,000 households across the UAE with electricity. It will be larger than TAQA鈥檚 existing 1.2 GW Noor Abu Dhabi solar plant, which is currently the world鈥檚 largest operational single-project solar PV plant.
By Sibel Morrow
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr