The global solar market is burgeoning, and it’s predicted that the world will have 1 trillion watts of installed solar PV capacity by 2023. With the inevitable depletion of traditional fuel sources, many nations are now spending time, money and effort into the development of alternative and renewable energy sources, and Dubai seems to be ahead of the game.
Globally, the $4.4 billion project, Noor Energy, is expected to increase the share of Dubai’s clean energy to 25% by 2030, allowing a saving of 1.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. The project will increase the share of the city’s clean energy to 25% by 2030, allowing a saving of 1.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.
There are enormous potential and massive opportunities for energy investors; as well as for renewable energy supporters who are striving to achieve SDG 7—ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. A $4.4 billion (£3.6bn) project, which claims to be ‘the world’s largest concentrated solar power plant has progressed with construction despite the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Noor Energy 1 facility is a hybrid 700MW concentrated solar power (CSP) and 250MW photovoltaic (PV) plant, built for the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) by a consortium led by DEWA and ACWA Power.
Gilein Steensma, Worley’s Vice President EMEA, Energy Transition, said: “It’s a credit to every stakeholder involved that this strategically important project has progressed minimizing schedule impacts despite facing obstacles such as logistical, staffing and supply chain challenges.
“It is a real testament to the commitment of the UAE to lead on the energy transition and showcases the combination of geographical distribution and strong capabilities of the contractors and subcontractors to adapt their approach to work around Covid-19 on what was already a technically challenging build.”