The Shams 1 renewable energy project, which is expected to generate 100MW of clean and sustainable energy at a cost of US$600mn, will be inaugurated in Abu Dhabi on 17 March
Shams 1 would be one of the largest concentrated solar power (CSP) plants in the world and will extend across an area measuring 2,500 square metres.
It is expected to begin feeding power into the Abu Dhabi national grid as of March this year.
The CSP technology means energy is generated by focussing sunlight, concentrated by mirrors, reflects to heat a coolant that then generates high-pressure steam to drive a steam turbine.
Located near Madinat Zayed in Abu Dhabi, the plant would consist of 258,048 parabolic trough mirrors, 192 solar collector assembly loops with eight solar collector assemblies per loop, 768 solar collector assembly units and 27,648 absorber pipes.
A statement from Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) said, ?In order to meet future energy demands, while also reducing the environmental footprint, the region is investing in and rapidly deploying renewable sources of energy. The UAE is a first mover in the region and Shams 1 proves that large-scale renewable energy can be commercially viable in one of the most arid, harsh climates in the world.?
The company added that Shams 1 was designed and developed by Shams Power Company, a joint venture between Masdar, who has 60 per cent stake in the project, and Abengoa Solar and Total who both hold a 20 per cent stake.
