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UAE’s Masdar opens world’s largest single-site solar plant ahead of COP28

The Al Dhafra solar plant spans more than 12 square miles of desert.

KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images
An Emirati man walks beneath photovoltaic panels at al-Dhafra solar project south of the capital Abu Dhabi, on Nov. 13, 2023. — KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

The UAE's state-owned renewable energy company Masdar, also called the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, has opened the world’s largest single-site solar plant ahead of the COP28 UN climate conference in Dubai later this month.

Masdar, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, EDF Renewables and Jinko Power, together with procurer Emirates Water and Electricity Company, opened the Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic Independent Power Project south of Abu Dhabi city. 

The Al Dhafra plant can power nearly 200,000 homes and help save 2.4 million metric tons of carbon emissions, according to a statement from Masdar. The plant spans more than 20 square kilometers (12 square miles) of desert and created 4,500 jobs during its construction, Masdar said.

The new site was inaugurated by Abu Dhabi Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

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