Abu Dhabi-based Masdar said that the solar power project, Shams 1, has delivered five years of uninterrupted electricity underscoring the UAEs strides in growing renewable energy production
?When Shams 1 was inaugurated five years ago, it was a breakthrough for the renewable energy sector, not only in the UAE but the MENA region as a whole. To complete five years of uninterrupted power generation is an impressive achievement,? Yousif Al Ali, chairman of Shams Power Company said.
Masdar, which is a unit of state wealth fund Mubadala Development Company, said the plant had produced 972,352.33Mwh or enough electricity to power nearly 110,000 homes for one year.
The 100MW plant was inaugurated in 2013 and is the world's largest concentrated solar power plant according to the UAE's government website.
UAE has been looking to boost renewable energy production to meet rising domestic energy demand and cut its dependence on polluting fossil fuels.
The country expects to spend over US$163bn and generate 44 per cent of its energy through renewable sources by 2050 according to the Ministry of Energy & Industry's website.
Masdar has an 80 per cent stake in plant operator, Shams Power, while French oil major Total owns 20 per cent.
