Located 35 kilometers from Abu Dhabi, the Al Dhafra Solar PV single-site solar plant has become the largest single-site photovoltaic installation on the planet. With an installed capacity of 2 gigawatts (GW), this energy mega-structure supplies clean electricity to more than 200,000 households in the United Arab Emirates.
An international consortium led by Masdar and TAQA, in partnership with EDF and JinkoPower, was responsible for the development of this plant. The project was awarded under the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, with an ownership structure splitting 40% to TAQA, 20% to Masdar and the remaining 40% equally between EDF and JinkoPower.
Innovation and efficiency in the service of clean energy
Al Dhafra incorporates nearly 4 million bifacial solar panels with crystalline technology, which allows solar radiation to be captured on both the front and back of each panel. This design improves energy efficiency and maximizes electricity production without increasing the area occupied by the plant.
Thanks to this technology and its scale, the project achieved one of the lowest rates ever recorded for solar power worldwide, 1.32 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Construction was equally impressive, with an average installation rate of 10 MW per day.
Commitment to sustainability
The electricity produced is purchased by Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), displacing some 2.4 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. This achievement reinforces the UAE’s role as a key player in the global energy transition.
Masdar, one of the project developers, is recognized as one of the world’s fastest growing renewable energy companies, with a presence in more than 40 countries and more than 51 GW of installed capacity. Together with ADNOC, Mubadala and TAQA, it is driving renewable energy and green hydrogen solutions as part of the national decarbonization strategy.
The development of Al Dhafra Solar PV not only represents an engineering milestone, but sets a new standard for large-scale solar projects in terms of efficiency, environmental impact and international collaboration.
Source: EDF