The Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has announced a successful full year of commercial operations of Noor Abu Dhabi, the world?s largest single-site solar plant, a JV between Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) and a consortium of Japan?s Marubeni Corp and China?s Jinko Solar Holding
Located at Sweihan in Abu Dhabi, Noor Abu Dhabi, which means light in Arabic, covers an area of eight sq km and features 3.2mn solar panels.
Since the commencement of its commercial operations, Noor Abu Dhabi solar plant has achieved a net production of 2,000 GWh providing electricity to 66,000 households and a 93 per cent efficiency rate in terms of energy availability. The solar plant has achieved 404,835 man hours without lost time injuries as of end April 2020, a reflection of the company's commitment to prioritising the highest international industry standards of health and safety.
Othman Al Ali, CEO of EWEC, said, ?As leaders in our field, we constantly strive to leverage our dynamic expertise, technology and resources to support the energy transition in the UAE, which is set to see a major acceleration towards renewable energy deployment. Looking ahead, Noor Abu Dhabi will continue to provide a world-leading, technologically advanced model for the effective use of solar power and we look forward to its continued success.?
Jasim Husain Thabet, group CEO and managing director of ?TAQA, added, ?The successful completion and operations of the project reinforces our collective commitment towards building a sustainable future by investing in cost-effective, clean energy solutions that leverage and optimise our natural resources. Noor Abu Dhabi is also helping the UAE ensure a secure supply of power to meet the ever-growing needs of the country.?
The facility is expected to reduce Abu Dhabi?s CO2 emissions by one million tonnes, which is equivalent to taking 200,000cars off the roads. It is also increasing its production of renewable energy and reducing its dependence on natural gas in electricity generation.
Noor Abu Dhabi is the first of a significant future pipeline of projects EWEC will be implementing using sustainable technology and is a major milestone in the transformation of the energy sector. In line with the UAE?s Energy Strategy 2050, EWEC is implementing a strategic plan which, by 2030, will produce more than 50 per cent of Abu Dhabi?s energy needs from renewable and clean energy sources. It will reduce the average carbon intensity of the system by more than 70 per cent compared to 2015.
