After years in the making, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has inaugurated the world’s largest concentrated solar power (CSP) plant in Abu Dhabi. President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan opened the 100 megawatt plant called “Shams 1.”
The power plant is well named with “Shams” in Arabic meaning “sun.” The Shams 1 is a 100 megawatt power plant costing 600 million US Dollars and taking three years to construct. It covers an area of 2.5 square kilometres – the equivalent of 285 football fields – around 120km southwest of Abu Dhabi. The plant consists of over 258 000 mirrors mounted on 768 parabolic troughs to direct sunlight to 192 rows of oil-filled tubes creating steam to power turbines and generate electricity.
Shams 1 will be capable of delivering renewable energy to 20 000 homes and will displace around 175 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually – equivalent of taking 15 000 cars off the roads. It will also add major contributions to the Abu Dhabi’s goal of having 7% of energy coming from renewables by 2020.
The power plant was headed by renewable energy company, Masdar, who owns 60% of it. Masdar led a partnership between French supermajor, Total Group, and Spanish energy infrastructure company, Abengoa Solar who own 20% of the plant each.
“Just like the rest of the world, the region is faced with meeting its rising demand for energy, while also working to reduce its carbon footprint,” said Masdar Chief Executive Officer Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber. “Shams 1 is a significant milestone, as large-scale renewable energy is proving it can deliver electricity that is sustainable, affordable and secure.”
According to Dr Jaber, Masdar produces 68% of the Gulf’s renewable energy capacity and almost 10% of the world’s installed CSP capacity.
“Abu Dhabi is investing and incubating a new energy industry, domestically and internationally,” Dr Jaber said. “Through Masdar, the UAE is redefining the role it plays in providing the world with energy. From precious hydrocarbons exports to sophisticated renewable energy systems, we are balancing the energy mix and diversifying our economy.”