Ahead of the COP28 Climate Talks, the UAE unveils a cutting-edge solar plant

The United Arab Emirates took an important step toward sustainable energy solutions with the opening of one of the world’s largest solar facilities. The Al Dhafra solar project, located south of Abu Dhabi, was built just weeks before the UN climate conference, and it represents the country’s commitment to tackling climate change and moving to a greener future.

The project is a collaboration involving multinational entities such as EDF Renewables in France, Jinko Power Technology in China, and ADNOC, Masdar, and TAQA in the UAE. EDF Renewables CEO Bruno Bensasson noted the project’s importance in delivering low-carbon electricity to the Emirates, along with worldwide efforts to cut carbon emissions.

The UAE is actively pursuing a “net zero” target for domestic carbon emissions by 2050, with an aim of tripling its renewable energy capacity in the following seven years. The Al Dhafra solar facility, with a capacity of two gigatonnes, is positioned to play a critical role in accomplishing this lofty goal. The facility is expected to offer carbon-free electricity to 160,000 homes, resulting in a significant reduction of over two million tonnes of CO2 emissions.