The United Arab Emirates has taken a significant step toward becoming a global energy hub with the inauguration of the massive Al Dhafra Solar Power Plant in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi. This project, the world’s first continuous solar energy storage system, can generate electricity even at night.
With a $3.3 billion investment, the Al Dhafra Solar Power Plant is equipped with a 2-gigawatt photovoltaic system and a lithium-ion battery storage system with a capacity of 1 gigawatt-hour. This technology allows the plant to store solar energy during the day and generate electricity at night when the panels are inactive. The plant operates 24/7, supplying electricity to thousands of homes.
The project is a collaboration between Masdar and the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), holding the record for the world’s largest integrated solar energy and battery storage system. According to Othman Al Ali, CEO of EWEC, the plant’s launch demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to sustainable development, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting the country’s economic growth.
Spread across 20 square kilometers, 21 million solar panels produced by Jinko Solar convert sunlight into electricity. Complementing these panels is a 1-gigawatt-hour battery system by South Korea’s Samsung SDI, enabling the plant to store excess daytime energy for nighttime use. This initiative not only ensures grid stability and meets nighttime demand but also reduces over 2.1 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Aligned with the UAE’s strategic goal of achieving 50% clean energy by 2050, the Al Dhafra Solar Power Plant supports environmental preservation, enhances sustainability indicators, and fosters job creation and economic growth in the region.
