Shams 1, a 100MW concentrated solar power plant in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region, has won the Project of the Year Award from the Emirates Solar Industry Association (ESIA). The award recognises outstanding achievement by entities that operate in the region’s solar industry.
Shams 1, which is being developed by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multifaceted renewable energy company, is the largest solar power plant in the Middle East and North Africa.
“We are delighted that Shams 1 has received such a prestigious award,” said Yousif Al Ali, General Manager of Shams Power Company, a subsidiary of Masdar.
The 100MW Shams 1 will directly contribute to Abu Dhabi’s goal of providing 7% of its energy capacity through renewable sources by the year 2020. When it begins feeding power to the Abu Dhabi grid early next year, the plant can generate enough electricity to power 20,000 homes, and will offset 175,000 tonnes of C02.
Masdar is developing Shams 1 in collaboration with Abengoa Solar of Spain and the French company Total. The joint venture between Masdar (60%), Total (20%) and Abengoa (20%) developed, built, operates, and maintains the plant in Madinat Zayed, about 120 kilometres southwest of Abu Dhabi city.
Masdar continues to invest in renewable energy projects throughout the world. The company has several international projects that are either completed or under construction, including:
The 1GW London Array in the United Kingdom, which is expected to be the world’s largest offshore wind farm.
The 20MWGemasolar project is a concentrated solar power plant in Spain that produces electricity 24 hours a day through the use of innovative storage technology.
