Abu Dhabi: A frontrunner in innovative green technologies that have attracted the international attention in recent years, The UAE has been a pioneer in renewable energy in the region.
Headquartering the International Renewable Energy Agency – Irena in Abu Dhabi since 2009, the UAE emerged as a hub of international initiatives in green energy.
But even before Irena, the UAE spearheaded its efforts to promote green energy with the establishment of Masdar, the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, in 2006.
Masdar’s investments today deliver nearly 1GW (giga-watt) of clean energy across the world, making the UAE a major global contributor to green energy.
The energy company, with international wind and solar projects in countries such as Spain, the United Kingdom, Mauritania and more, is responsible for 12 per cent of installed CSP (Concentrated Solar Capacity) in the world. And Masdar’s projects represent an estimated 68 per cent of the Gulf’s renewable energy capacity.
Solar Park in Dubai
In Dubai, meanwhile, the ongoing plans to build the Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, will have a 1,000MW capacity by 2030, and, upon completion, will be one of the biggest solar parks in the region.
The initiative, launched last year by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), is expected to make a substantial contribution to Dubai’s future energy needs, with the first phase of 13 MW solar plant due to be in operation before the end of this year.
The power company also last week opened the largest public green building in the world, reinforcing its commitment to the green initiative. It has achieved 98 out of 110 points on the US Green Building Council scale. The building is part of the ongoing efforts by the Dubai Government to build a green economy for sustainable development.
And Dewa, which provides and sells electricity to consumers and industry in Dubai, is determined to do so in an efficient manner and using sources of renewable energy to protect the environment. Energy-efficiency will reduce the cost of living for consumers and the cost of doing business for companies, making Dubai an attractive destination to live and invest in.
In future initiatives, the largest renewable energy project in the Middle East is set to be inaugurated next month. Masdar will inaugurate Shams 1, generating 100 megawatts of clean, sustainable energy, a major milestone in addressing the UAE’s long-term energy diversification plans.
Located in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, Shams 1 was designed and developed by Shams Power Company, a joint venture between Masdar (60 per cent), Total of France (20 per cent) and Abengoa Solar of Spain (20 per cent).
A living example of renewable energy, the buildings of Masdar City, a special economic zone situated 17km from downtown Abu Dhabi, reduce energy demand by 56 per cent and potable water demand by 54 per cent.
Construction of the first commercial building in Masdar City will be complete soon, playing home to a number of organisations, including General Electric, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the Global Green Growth Institute. When complete, 40,000 people will live in Masdar City.
