The Biggest Renewable Energy Projects in the Middle East :
The Biggest Renewable Energy Projects in the Middle East
As air pollution becomes increasingly threatening to humanity, using renewable energy has been seen to be the universal call to action. Nations have begun diversifying from using hydrocarbon-which is finite. There is now a shift to renewable energies such as solar energy, thereby generating cleaner and greener energy. The Middle East has been a keen investor and promoter of renewable energy with big projects, particularly in solar power. In addition, the need to combat climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions has placed the use of renewable energy at the top of the energy policy agenda. This article will highlight some of the biggest renewable energy projects in the Middle East.
BIGGEST PROJECTS
Noor Energy 1 solar project: Dubai, UAE
This project is in line with Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050. Hence, ACWA Power, China’s Industrial and commercial bank and Shanghai Electric Group Company (SEGC) partnered with Abengoa, a Spanish company. Their goal was to develop the Noor Energy 1 Solar project to achieve power generation from clean energy sources. This project is the 4th phase development of Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park. This $3.9bn project is the world’s largest single-site concentrated solar power, with a total capacity of 217 MW. The project includes a CSP central tower, a CSP parabolic trough and solar photovoltaic panels based on the Independent Power Producer model.
Al Dhafra Solar Project: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Another project worth mentioning is the Al Dhafra Solar Project, developed by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), Masdar, EDF and JinkoPower. The Al Dhafra solar farm comprises up to 3.2 million solar panels for a total installed capacity of 2GW, generating enough electricity for approximately 160,000 homes in UAE. It is expected to mitigate 2.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide yearly. This project also comes as part of the UAE Energy Strategy 2050.
Hatta Wind Power Project – Dubai, UAE
At the commissioning of the first 300MW of the 5th phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid (MBR) Solar Park in Dubai, the Hatta Wind power project was announced to the populace by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). With a capacity of 28MW, the rationale behind this project is to diversify energy sources by generating electricity using wind power, thereby promoting clean energy and a greener economy.
Sudair Solar Power Plant: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The Sudair solar project was initiated during the inauguration ceremony of the 300MW Sakaka solar project. It is a 1,500MW solar PV power project, which is expected to supply clean energy to negate 2,900,000 carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) a year.
CONCLUSIONS It is evident that the Middle East is committed to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions level. From the generation of hydro energy to the building of massive solar farms, the Middle East is aggressively investing in low carbon sources of energy. The aim is to support the UN Sustainability Development Goals
