UAE President inaugurates Shams 1, region's largest concentrated solar power project

Shams 1 a major milestone and a step towards long-term energy security, says Shaikh Khalifa

  • By Shehab Al Makahleh, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 14:31 March 17, 2013

  • Image Credit: WAM
  • Shaikh Khalifa, Shaikh Mohammad BIn Rashid, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed and other senior officials with members of the team who worked on the Shams 1 project (seen in the background) after the inauguration of the world’s largest concentrated solar power plant (CSP) in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi yesterday.
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Abu Dhabi: Shams 1 was officially inaugurated on Sunday in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the presence of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice- President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

“The inauguration of Shams 1 is a major milestone in our country’s economic diversification and a step towards long-term energy security,” Shaikh Khalifa was quoted by Emirates News Agency (Wam) as saying.

He also commented on the plant’s future impact.

“Shams 1 is a strategic investment in our country’s economic, social and environmental prosperity,” added Shaikh Khalifa.

“The domestic production of renewable energy extends the life of our country’s valuable hydrocarbon resources and supports the growth of a promising new industry,” he said.

Shaikh Khalifa also expressed his pride in the young Emiratis who worked on this project.

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“Expanding our leadership into renewable sources of power demonstrates the United Arab Emirates’ commitment to maintaining its position as a major provider of energy. The expertise they gained, working closely with international companies and building a project of such scale, is the type of human capital development that will enable our country to secure long-term energy leadership,” the President said.

Shams 1, the largest concentrated solar power plant (CSP) in operation in the world, is a breakthrough for renewable energy development and advanced technology, said Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and CEO of Masdar, at the opening ceremony.

“Shams 1 with a capacity of  100 megawatt which is now fully operational and connected to the grid will generate clean energy to power 20,000 homes in the UAE,’ said Al Jaber. 

“With the demand for energy rising exponentially, the region is undergoing a major transformation in how it generates electricity. In fact, the Middle East is poised for major investments in renewable energy, and Shams 1 proves the economic and environmental advantage of deploying large-scale solar projects,” stressed Al Jaber.

Shams 1, a joint venture between Masdar (60 per cent), Total (20 per cent) and Abengoa Solar (20 percent), was designed and developed by Shams Power Company.

Comments (3)

  1. Added 17:02 March 18, 2013

    very happy to know about this future project.leaders should be like this..

    Anonymous, sharjha`, India

  2. Added 11:37 March 18, 2013

    It's really nice to know about the dynamic promotional of Solar Power Energy Plants in UAE. And moreover sun is available with the best radiations for almost more than 300 days there.

    Grover Pardeep, Chandigarh, India

  3. Added 09:33 March 18, 2013

    I salute the UAE and all the best to the leaders of this country.

    Gerry, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

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