The record-breaking Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic (PV) plant is EWEC’s second world-leading solar power project, and directly supports the UAE’s energy transition. Located approximately 35 kilometres from Abu Dhabi city, Al Dhafra Solar PV is the world’s largest single-site solar power plant with a capacity of 1.5 gigawatts (AC), lifting Abu Dhabi’s solar PV capacity to around 2.5 gigawatts (AC).
The plant comprises approximately 4 million solar panels using the latest in crystalline, bifacial solar technology, which enables the plant to provide more electricity by capturing solar irradiation from both the front and backside of the panel. The plant reduces Abu Dhabi’s carbon emissions by more than 2.4 million metric tonnes per year, equivalent to removing approximately 470,000 cars from the road.
Competitive bidding and financial closing of the project led to one of the most competitive tariffs for solar power, set at AED 4.85 fils/kWh (USD 1.32 cents/kWh).
Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) owns 40 per cent of the project, with Masdar, EDF Renewables and JinkoPower each holding 20 per cent.
