EWEC announced the award of the project in Abu Dhabi

EDF and Jinko will be in charge of the world's largest single-project solar plant in the Emirates

photo_camera REUTERS/BEN JOB - Shams solar power plant during its official inauguration at Madinat Zayed in Abu Dhabi

The Emirates Water and Electricity Company (Ewec), a leading company in the coordination of planning, purchasing and providing of water and electricity across the UAE, announced the award for the world’s largest solar power plant in Abu Dhabi.

The project was awarded to a consortium led by the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa) and Masdar, with partners French electric utility company EDF and JinkoPower, for the development of the 2 GW Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Independent Power Producer (IPP) project, which will be located approximately 35 kilometres from Abu Dhabi city. The project’s power purchase agreement (PPA) and shareholders’ agreement were signed with Ewec, said a press release issued by Ewec on Sunday.

In this way, the French electricity company EDF and the Chinese company Jinko Power will manage what is presented as the largest solar power plant project in the world, with an installed capacity of two gigawatts to be built 35 kilometres south of Abu Dhabi. 

The two companies indicated this Monday in an official note that they have won the bidding process for the Al-Dhafra project with the most competitive offer to produce electricity, at an average cost of 1.35 dollars per kilowatt hour (1.15 euros). The electricity purchase contract with EWEC will be extended by 30 years.  

Speaking about the milestone, Othman Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of Ewec, said, “We are delighted to work with our partners and sign a PPA with a record-low tariff for solar power. We are working to secure long-term energy supply and reinforce solar power’s integral role in meeting current and future energy needs. Combined with key technological advances, the Al Dhafra Solar PV project will have a significant impact on diversifying the approach to our current electricity supply, and drive our strategic plan to further contribute towards the sector’s transformation in water and electricity production, as we develop a low-carbon grid in the UAE.”

Planta solar Emiratos

Jasim Husain Thabet, Group CEO and Managing Director at Taqa, said, “The Al Dhafra Solar PV plant is a benchmark project for our nation and the global energy sector. The project’s low tariff and utilisation of best-in-class technology further demonstrate the feasibility of utility-scale renewable energy projects that are accelerating our nation’s progress on meeting the ambitious energy objectives outlined in the UAE Energy Strategy 2050. “Once fully operational, the plant will increase Abu Dhabi’s solar power capacity to approximately 3.2 GW,” he added.

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’s existing 1.2 GW ‘Noor Abu Dhabi’ solar plant, which is currently the world’s largest operational single-project solar PV plant.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said, “Through the award of the Al Dhafra project, the UAE is affirming once again its determination to lead the global transition to cleaner energy sources, deploying the latest advances in solar power technology at tremendous scale cost efficiently. At Masdar, we are honoured to join EWEC, TAQA, EDF, JinkoPower, and the many other prestigious partners involved in this outstanding project.
“We are excited to be working with them to realise the world’s largest single-site solar power plant in Abu Dhabi, building on our existing portfolio of world-class projects in the UAE, including Shams in Madinat Zayed in Abu Dhabi, and the third phase of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai,” he added.

On the other hand, Bruno Bensasson, EDF Group Senior Executive Vice-President, Renewable Energies and Chief Executive Officer of EDF Renewables, said, “EDF has a strong and close relationship with the UAE, providing the country with cutting-edge technology and supporting its energy policies for the long term. With this new project, we are honoured and delighted to be able to continue this strategic partnership.

Meanwhile Charles Bai, President of JinkoPower International Business, commented, “Jinko is once again privileged to be a partner in developing the new largest PV generation plant in the world, following our successful partnership in building the current world’s largest single solar project, Noor Abu Dhabi. The UAE energy industry is known for its world-class standards, operating with fairness and transparency”.

Planta de energía solar en la ciudad de Masdar

Through this project, 60 percent will be owned by a consortium comprising TAQA and Masdar, while the remaining 40 percent will be owned by EDF and JinkoPower, with 20% for the French company and another 20% for the Chinese company. 

The construction of the complex - estimated to generate more than 4,000 jobs - is expected to start by the end of the year, with a view to entry into service in 2022. 

The power plant will use double-sided modules, a technology that captures the sun's rays from both sides and increases the power output. 

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