Worlds largest single-site solar power inaugurated in Abu Dhabi, enough electricity to power almost 200,000 homes

Ahead of the United Arab Emirates hosting COP28, the biggest single-site solar power facility in the world was officially opened in Abu Dhabi. The historic 2GW Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic Independent Power Project, which lies 35 km from the city, was constructed all at once. It produces enough electricity to power almost 200,000 households while removing 2.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

During the height of development, the factory, which occupies more than 20 square kilometres of desert, employed 4,500 people. It makes use of over 4 million solar panels using cutting-edge bi-facial technology, which makes sure sunlight is caught on both sides of the panels to maximum production.

The project was created by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), in collaboration with Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), EDF Renewables, and JinkoPower. The procurement company is called Emirates Water and Electricity Company, or EWEC.

The project was presented by Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and it is currently providing the country's grid with clean, emissions-free power. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan was also in attendance.

Under the direction of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE is moving forward with its strategic plans to improve its energy security by putting in place a variety of flexible energy generation that is both boosting the economy and lowering carbon emissions, as Sheikh Hazza reaffirmed.

The UAE has emerged as a global leader in solar energy in less than 15 years. Masdar turned on the nation's first solar project in 2009, which was 10 MW. Today, Al Dhafra Solar PV is equivalent to a facility that is 200 times larger. This massive project, which at financial close obtained the lowest tariff in the world, illustrates the UAE's long-standing commitment to decarbonization at home and across the world as the country gets ready for COP28.

Based on the most recent statistics from The Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy, the UAE ranks second internationally in terms of per capita solar energy consumption, making it a global leader in the use of solar energy. As part of the nation's energy diversification, the country has installed solar energy faster than other major nations in less than ten years.

The project's completion was made possible by the formation of a strategic collaboration by leading the global energy industry and utilising their combined knowledge. The EWEC-planned and -purchased Al Dhafra Solar PV project smashed cost records for utility-scale solar projects.

One of the most attractive solar electricity rates was first established as a result of the project, at Dh4.97 fils/kWh (1.35 cents/kWh). After financial closing, this tariff was further increased to Dh4.85 fils/kWh (1.32 cents/kWh).