Masdar inaugurates ‘world’s-largest’ 2GW solar project in Abu Dhabi

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The project will supply power to procurer of the project Emirates Water and Electricity Company. Image: Masdar

UAE state-owned renewable energy developer Masdar has inaugurated the 2GW Al Dhafra Solar solar PV project in Abu Dhabi.

Encompassing about four million bi-facial solar modules, the project will supply power to the procurer of the project, Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), as both companies signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) in 2020.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

Not ready to commit yet?
  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Masdar claimed that this project is the world’s largest single-site solar PV plant. After adding this project to the UAE’s solar portfolio, the country’s solar power production capacity will increase to 3.2GW.

Located 35 kilometres from Abu Dhabi city, the project was co-developed with Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, French power company EDF Renewables and Chinese solar developer JinkoPower. Masdar added that the solar modules were installed at an average rate of 10MW a day during construction.

“This world-leading solar project demonstrates remarkable progress in solar power efficiency, innovation and cost competitiveness. Al Dhafra is an example of the scale of the ambition needed around the world,” said Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, chairman of Masdar.

In July, Solar Module Super League member (SMSL) Trina Solar delivered 800MW of solar modules to the 2GW Al Dhafra PV plant. The Chinese company delivered its 210mm Vertex modules to the China Machinery Engineering Corporation for deployment at the Al Dhafra plant.

Tracker manufacturer Arctech also secured a supply deal with China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) for the Al Dhafra PV plant in Abu Dhabi. Arctech provided its flagship SkySmart II trackers, which, according to the company, are capable of coping with high temperatures and a harsh environment at the project site.

Apart from this project, Masdar recently also inaugurated the 145MWac (192MWp) Cirata floating solar PV (FPV) plant in the West Java province of Indonesia. This is Masdar’s FPV project and its first entry into Southeast Asia.

Masdar also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with PLN to develop Cirata phase II which would add up to 500MW capacity.

Earlier this month, a consortium comprising renewables developers – Masdar and EDF Renewables – and Saudi conglomerate Nesma Company signed a PPA with the Saudi Power Procurement Company for the planned 1.1GW Al Henakiyah Solar Plant in Saudi Arabia. The Al Henakiyah project is expected to reach a financial close in late 2024 and start operating in 2025.

EWEC also invited applications from companies to develop a 1.5GWdc solar PV project located in the Al Khazna area of Abu Dhabi in September.

Read Next

August 20, 2025
The consortium building the Al Sadawi PV power plant in Saudi Arabia has reached financial close on the 2GW project.
Premium
August 14, 2025
JP Casey investigates efforts currently being made to standardise the offtake agreement for the renewable power sector.
August 13, 2025
Madrid-headquartered renewables developer Elawan has signed a 10-year power purchase agreement (PPA) to support a 150MW solar PV portfolio in northern Spain.
Premium
August 6, 2025
PV Talk: LevelTen’s Andrés Acosta discusses how an oversupply of clean projects is shaping Europe’s PPA market.
August 1, 2025
Independent power producer GoldenPeaks Capital has reached commercial operations on a 92MW solar PV portfolio in Hungary.
July 31, 2025
Leeward Renewable Energy has started construction at the Twelvemile 1 and 2 solar projects in Oklahoma, which have a capacity of 152MW.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines