UAE has unveiled its inaugural wind power project developed by the Power Construction Corporation of China (POWERCHINA). The inauguration ceremony, held in Abu Dhabi, underscored the burgeoning significance of renewable energy in the global battle against climate change, marking a momentous stride in climate action.
Owned by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company – Masdar, the project boasts a total installed capacity of 117.5MW, featuring 103.5MW of wind power supplemented by a 14MW photovoltaic power station. This substantial undertaking stands as a testament to the UAE’s unwavering commitment to fulfilling the Paris Agreement objectives, striving to triple global installed renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber, COP28 President-Designate, UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, lauded the UAE Wind Program Project as a source of national pride.
He emphasized its pivotal role in aligning with the Paris Agreement’s goals and positioning the nation on the trajectory towards the ambitious Net Zero by 2050 initiative. Notably, the project’s significance amplifies as the United Nations Climate Change Conference looms, slated to be hosted in the UAE later this year.
Esteemed for its exceptional standards, the project clinched the prestigious Energy Project of the Year 2022 accolade from Big Project ME and earned the esteemed International Safety Awards 2023 by the British Safety Council.
POWERCHINA’s extensive presence in the UAE, spanning back to 2008, reflects its steadfast commitment to the region’s development. POWERCHINA has emerged as the primary contractor for power station and seawater desalination engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Noteworthy milestones include the completion of six projects in the UAE, such as the Etihad Railway Project 2F2 Freight Facilities. Currently, POWERCHINA is engaged in two major projects, including the monumental Taweelah desalination project in Abu Dhabi, set to be the world’s largest with a daily water production capacity of 900,000 cubic meters.
The urgency to address climate change resonates profoundly with global leaders. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the pivotal role of renewable energy technologies, citing wind and solar power as cost-effective alternatives to fossil fuels.
The UAE government has outlined plans to escalate investments in renewable energy, earmarking a staggering 600 billion dirhams (approx. US$163.5 billion) by 2050. Aligning with its visionary 2050 energy strategy, the UAE aims to secure 44 percent of its energy supply from renewable sources by the same year, steadfastly pioneering a sustainable energy landscape for future generations.