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Large utility-scale wind power debuts on UAE electricity grid
11/10/2023
News
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has brought online the country’s first large utility-scale wind farms at four locations, with total combined capacity of over 100 MW, powering over 23,000 homes and displacing 120,000 t/y of CO2.
The 103.5 MW landmark project developed by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company – Masdar, was officially inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council. It marks the first time that the UAE has added utility-scale wind power to its energy mix, which also features solar, nuclear and waste-to-energy plants.
The development underscores the UAE’s commitment to diversifying the country’s energy mix and advancing its energy transition as it tackles climate change and looks forward to hosting COP28 later this year.
The wind programme span four locations including Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, which has a 45 MW capacity wind farm plus 14 MWp (megawatt peak) solar farm. The other wind farm locations include Delma Island (27 MW) in Abu Dhabi; Al Sila, Abu Dhabi (27 MW) and Al Halah, Fujairah (4.5 MW).
A power purchase agreement (PPA) has been signed between Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) and Masdar for the power generated from the Sir Bani Yas Island, Al Sila, and Delma Island wind farms.
Commenting at the inauguration, His Excellency Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate and Chairman of Masdar, said: ‘For a viable energy transition, the world must triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 to meet the Paris Agreement goals. As we look forward to hosting COP28, today’s inauguration shows the UAE’s firm commitment to this target, boosting clean energy investments both at home and abroad.’
Previously, wind energy was not deemed viable due to low wind speeds in the UAE. However, recent innovations including bigger turbine sizes, lower hardware prices and the discovery of a unique weather phenomenon that generates high winds at night have made the projects scalable and economically viable, according to Masdar.
Masdar has a goal of reaching at least 100 GW total renewable energy capacity by 2030.
