Noor Abu Dhabi solar plant completes second year of commercial operation

The 1.2 gigawatt project is the largest standalone photovoltaic plant in the world

Taqa's Noor Abu Dhabi solar park. The project began commercial operation in April 2019 and generates enough power to meet the needs of 90,000 individuals. Taqa

The UAE's massive 1.2 gigawatt Noor Abu Dhabi solar power plant has completed two years of commercial operation.

The project, which has more than 3.3 million solar panels deployed at a single site, is the largest standalone photovoltaic plant in the world.

The project began commercial operation in April 2019 and generates enough power to meet the needs of 90,000 individuals.

"Noor Abu Dhabi is a trailblazer in many regards, particularly as it was one of the first initiatives in the UAE to contribute to the UAE Energy Strategy 2050," said Abdulla Al Kayoumi, chief executive of Sweihan PV Power Company.

The company is part of Abu Dhabi Energy Company, also known as Taqa, which holds a 60 per cent interest in it.

Marubeni Corporation and Jinko Solar hold 20 per cent interests each in the company.

The UAE, an Opec oil producer, has been looking to diversify its energy mix away from hydrocarbons. The country generates much of its power from natural gas and plans to add 50 per cent renewables capacity by 2050.

The amount of power generated by renewable energy in the UAE will increase to 21 per cent in 2030 and to 44 per cent by 2050, from 7 per cent last year, as more new projects come online, according to Rystad Energy.

"The [Noor Abu Dhabi] plant has established itself as a model for offering a competitive and reliable supply of renewable energy," Mr Al Kayoumi said.