When we think of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), oil always comes to mind. However, the country is rich in hydrocarbons, but it continues to seek an energy transition that will make it less dependent on this fuel. This project is culminating in the monumental Noor Abu Dhabi solar plant.
This complex is not just a simple electricity generator, but the crown jewel of the “UAE Energy Strategy 2050.” The plant is located in Sweihan, Abu Dhabi, the capital emirate. This titanic solar plant houses no less than 3.2 million photovoltaic panels, reaching a capacity of 1,177 gigawatts—enough to supply energy to more than 66,000 homes. Since its launch in 2019, the Noor Abu Dhabi solar plant has already produced a total of 2,000 GWh.
Energy diversification means resilience
The European Union is not the only body that has focused on diversifying its energy sources. The UAE is also undergoing an economic energy transition, in line with the political mandate set out in the UAE Energy Strategy 2050. This was the first unified energy strategy for the entire country back in 2017.
The main objective is to increase the contribution of clean energy to the total electricity generation mix. By 2050, they project that 50% of their energy will come from “clean sources.” The goal is not so much to reduce their carbon footprint as it is to end their dependence on oil. This country is developing and experiencing growing domestic energy demand. After all, its population is growing, and it needs intense cooling due to its climate.
It’s only natural that they would choose clean energy based on the sun. After all, the UAE enjoys an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, perfect solar radiation for generating energy. However, geography works against them: dust, sand, and extreme heat are the main enemies of solar panel energy efficiency. To counteract all the dust that systematically dirties these solar panels, the Noor Abu Dhabi solar plant uses waterless robotic cleaning systems. The Sweihan plant alone uses 1,400 robots that operate daily without using a single drop of water or window cleaner, a necessary solution in a region with such water scarcity.
Many solar plants seek maximum exposure to the south, but the Noor Abu Dhabi plant uses an east-west orientation instead. This allows them to have more stable and balanced energy production throughout the day, avoiding losses due to the midday heat. The scale and VAT of this project and some neighboring ones have made it possible to obtain low resource costs in the market. The rate achieved in recent projects, of only $1.35/kWh, is one of the most competitive in the world.
Abu Dhabi: the new international event center
Abu Dhabi is a case study in national branding engineering. In just two decades, the capital of the United Arab Emirates has flourished in infrastructure, culture, and sports. It has managed to position itself among the most influential cities in the world. The annual Formula 1 race at the Yas Marina Circuit is just one of the most visible effects of this national marketing campaign.
Not only do they want to move away from oil in terms of energy use, they have also set out to diversify their economy beyond hydrocarbons through international events and elite tourism. Along with this and its low taxes and very attractive financial laws, it has managed to attract foreign investment, generate employment, and consolidate the service sector. By associating its brand with world-class events such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the FIFA World Cup, this Arab city has managed to project an image of modernity, stability, and execution capacity.
No world-class event can thrive without a first-class infrastructure, and Abu Dhabi has invested billions to ensure this. This is how Yas Island was created, where all the motor racing action takes place. The Yas Marina Circuit was built with luxury in mind, seamlessly integrated with a marina and five-star hotels, including the iconic W Abu Dhabi.