The Emirates Water and Electricity Company revealed its completion of connecting the Al Dhafra station, the largest independent station for solar energy production in the world, to the electricity grid in the UAE, with initial operation and the generation of the first gigabyte to the network, according to Othman Al Ali, CEO of the company, stressing that the station entered the stage of full commercial operation within The third quarter of the current year 2023.
He added in an interview with “Al-Bayan” that the company had issued, during last January, the tender for the solar plant project in the “Al-Ajban” area, which is expected to form, with its entry into operation in 2026, along with the Al-Dhafra and Noor stations, the largest solar system to generate electricity at the global level. the world with a total production of 6 million tons annually.
plan
Al Ali touched on the company’s plan to strengthen the water desalination system in the country by raising the number of stations to 8 stations with new green projects that will enter into operation until 2025, speaking regarding the role of Emirates Water and Electricity in enhancing the countries’ vision towards carbon neutrality in the energy sector, as it removes the main projects that The Corporation supervises regarding 6 million metric tons of carbon. At the same time, it will continue to enhance the ability of institutions and companies to reduce their carbon footprint through a number of agreements concluded for the transfer of clean energy, through which it was able to provide 13 terabytes of clean electricity to the local market, and through the energy certification program. Clean given to consumers.
development
In response to a question regarding the company’s project portfolio and its contribution to supporting the clean energy system in the UAE, Othman Al Ali confirmed that the company’s project portfolio includes more than 18 power generation projects in the UAE, with many international partners and developers in both the electricity and clean energy production sector, along with Water saving projects and other existing projects that are under implementation, as it continues with regular steps to develop projects with international specifications while relying on the best technologies and solutions in the low-carbon energy sector, foremost of which is the establishment of solar power plants in the UAE.
completion
He added: The company has finally completed the actual connection of the Al Dhafra station to the local electricity network and its initial operation, as the first gigabyte of electricity was generated for local consumption, and the station absorbed 4 million solar panels, and it is expected that the installation work of the last batch will be completed in the next few period for the station to enter into actual operation. and Commercial during the third quarter of 2023. It is expected to generate 2 gigawatts of electricity to provide the needs of regarding 160,000 homes.
leadership
He pointed out that the project is the first of its kind and size in the world in the use of double-sided crystalline solar panels, which enhances the pioneering vision towards increasing the volume and efficiency of production and reducing costs, which confirms the leadership of the UAE in innovating and adopting innovative solutions in the production of future sustainable energy, as these technologies enhance By connecting with the local network across all Emirates or extending to the Gulf interconnection network, the country’s position in the energy market in general.
tender
He pointed out that, according to the company’s plans, a tender for the construction of the Al-Ajban solar power plant was launched last January, and is currently in the stage of receiving offers from the competent companies to award contracts and start implementing the construction works of the station, which is planned to operate by 2026, and is scheduled to be similar to the «station». Al Dhafra »in terms of size and production.
success
Regarding the most important indicators achieved by the company in terms of transferring clean energy, the CEO of the company said: We were able, through the Clean Energy Certification Program, to completely transform consumer uses into clean energy, including solar and nuclear energy, and to provide 13 terawatts of electricity to consumers, sufficient for the needs of 260,000 families. The last one last December was a clear success by providing 9 million certificates with a total production of 9 terabytes.
Strengthen
He said: We are keen to enhance leadership in these projects, as we have completed the maximum production capacity of the first phase of the Taweelah plant by producing 100 million gallons of water, while work is underway to raise the production capacity of the second phase from 50 million to 100 million gallons as well, and it is planned that we will provide through Reverse osmosis projects for water production account for regarding 90% of the demand by 2030 through sustainable energy, and we are currently strengthening the local system by raising the number of projects operating in the sector to 8 projects, through a number of projects, in addition to the stations already operating in Al Taweelah, Al Marfa and Emirate Fujairah.
Offers
Othman Al Ali revealed the start of receiving bids for the construction of the energy production project through waste, which it is implementing with the “Tadweer” company, as the receiving period has been extended to April, and it is expected that the details of the project will be announced soon.
He pointed out that enhancing carbon neutrality is one of the most important targets across the projects.
Projects
Othman Al Ali explained that in addition to developing the second phase of Al Taweelah, there is the Port 2 station, which is expected to produce regarding 120 million gallons of water with initial operation by 2025 and commercial operation in the last quarter of the same year, and Shuwaihat 4, which has now entered the stage of regulatory approvals. To be announced next April, as it is expected to produce 70 million gallons at the same time.
He said: We are currently working on the two Abu Dhabi Island stations project, which are dedicated to producing 100 million gallons, sufficient for the needs of 180,000 families, while construction is currently underway at the Fujairah 3 station, which is the largest and most efficient gas water production plant in the region, as it is essentially complementary to the energy transformation in the market. It is expected to start operating in the second half of this year to provide the needs of 380,000 families.
