Abu Dhabi: While the Middle East may seem an unlikely place for renewable power, given its abundance of fossil fuels, Sir Bani Yas Island, on the western coast of Abu Dhabi, is the site of the Middle East's largest wind turbine.
The island lies 9km offshore from Jebel Dhanna, which serves as a crossing point to other islands such as Dalma.
The wind turbine, which stands 65 metres high and has three rotor blades each with a 52 metre wing span, has a production capacity of 850 kilowatts per hour.
The wind turbine was produced by a leading wind energy company, Vestas, Denmark.
Green environment
The project was based on cooperation between the Abu Dhabi's leading tourism asset developer the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) and the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company- Masdar, to create a green environment here.
Working with TDIC, Masdar Power is developing an onshore wind farm with a capacity of up to 30 megawatts on Sir Bani Yas Island.
TDIC is developing Sir Bani Yas Island as eco-tourism destination within a wildlife conservation area.
The wind farm will contribute to the island's sustainability drive, which already includes transportation services via two electric buses and animal viewing platforms made from 100 per cent recycled materials.
Abu Dhabi is committed to sourcing 7 per cent of its power from renewable sources within nine years.
