Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed inaugurates Sharjah’s 1st solar plant ‘SANA’

Sharjah: In a major milestone for sustainable energy in the UAE,  Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Petroleum Department and Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC), inaugurated “SANA” — the emirate’s first solar power plant — on Wednesday morning.

Located next to the Sajaa Gas Plant, the new facility spans a vast 850,000 square meters and can generate 60 megawatts of clean energy. This is enough to power nearly 13,800 homes each year, reducing around  66,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions  annually.

Sheikh Sultan described the launch as a key moment in Sharjah’s journey toward cleaner, more sustainable energy. He said it reflects the emirate’s commitment to protecting the environment and planning wisely for the future of energy and water, in line with the goals of the Sharjah Energy Council.

“This project is more than just solar panels,” Sheikh Sultan  said. “It’s a symbol of teamwork, innovation, and Sharjah’s vision for a greener tomorrow.”

The ceremony began with the UAE national anthem, followed by a speech from Eng. Khamis Al Mazrouei, CEO of SNOC. He shared how the idea for SANA was born eight years ago among a group of engineers who wanted to bring renewable energy projects to life in Sharjah.

Al Mazrouei recalled how it all started with a small solar station in 2018 at the Hamriyah LNG terminal. It generated just 300 kilowatts, but it marked the beginning of SNOC’s clean energy shift.

“This journey shows how a small step can grow into something big,” he said. “SANA isn’t just a power plant; it’s an investment in our people, especially young Emirati talents who played a key role in building it.”

Many of the engineers behind the project are local university graduates, making the initiative not only a win for the environment but also a success in developing national talent.

Al Mazrouei also emphasised that SNOC’s strategy now fully embraces renewable energy and the move toward carbon neutrality. He credited the success of the project to the guidance of the UAE’s leadership — especially the support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, and the active leadership of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed.

Speaking at the event, Abdulaziz Al Obaidli, Chairman of Emerge — the company overseeing the plant — said the project is a landmark not only for Sharjah but for the entire UAE and region.

“This is about more than energy,” Al Obaidli said. “It’s about building a better, cleaner world. This project boosts energy security, helps fight climate change, and proves what we can do when we work together.”

He thanked all the engineers, consultants, and technicians who brought the project to life, as well as Masdar and the EDF Group — Emerge’s partners in the initiative. The company will operate and maintain the plant for the next 25 years.

The SANA plant stands out for its smart, sun-tracking design. It uses over 98,000 solar panels mounted on 13,000 flexible poles that move with the sun to maximize energy collection throughout the day.

When the plant generates more electricity than SNOC needs, the excess power will be sent to the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA). At night, SEWA will supply power back to SNOC — creating a balanced, efficient energy system.

This makes SANA one of the few solar power plants globally designed to not only meet its own energy needs but also contribute to the wider grid.

Fatima Al Hammadi, Project Manager for SANA, shared her pride in leading a project that started as a simple idea and grew into a full-scale renewable energy plant through strong collaboration between sectors like oil, gas, and clean energy.

“This was real teamwork,” she said. “People from different fields came together with one goal — a cleaner future for everyone.”

His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed honored all the partners with commemorative shields and took group photos with the Emirati engineers, praising their dedication and wishing them continued success.

With the press of a button, Sheikh Sultan officially launched the plant, followed by a tour of the facility. The tour showcased the different parts of the station, the technology used, and how it will support SNOC’s mission to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 — part of the UAE’s national climate goals.

The project was made possible through a joint effort between SNOC, SEWA, and Emerge — a partnership between Abu Dhabi’s Masdar and France’s EDF Group. Together, they have brought Sharjah one step closer to a cleaner, more energy-secure future.

The event was attended by senior officials, including Sheikh Dr. Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Head of the Ruler’s Office; Sheikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Chairman of the Sharjah Petroleum Department and SNOC; and other dignitaries from the energy sector.