The Emirates Water and Electricity Company has officially started the main construction phase of the Al Ajban Solar Photovoltaic project with the installation of the first solar panel at the site. This marks an important step in the United Arab Emirates’ clean energy journey. With a planned capacity of 1.5 gigawatts, Al Ajban is set to become one of the largest single-site solar power plants in the world, reinforcing the country’s long-term focus on sustainable power generation.
The project is being developed by an international consortium made up of Masdar from the UAE, EDF from France, and Korea Western Power Company. The partnership was formed in early 2024 after the project was officially awarded in April. For the on-ground execution, the engineering, procurement, and construction contract has been awarded to PowerChina Huadong Engineering Corporation, a well-known subsidiary of the Power Construction Corporation of China. The involvement of experienced global players highlights the scale and technical importance of the project.
Once completed, the Al Ajban solar plant will include around three million solar panels installed across a vast area. The facility is expected to generate enough clean electricity to supply power to nearly 160,000 homes across the UAE. This will play a major role in meeting rising electricity demand while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The environmental benefits are equally significant, as the project is expected to cut more than 2.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year.
This reduction in emissions supports Abu Dhabi’s wider plan to decarbonize its power sector and aligns with the UAE’s national clean energy and climate goals. Large-scale solar projects like Al Ajban are key to achieving these targets, especially as the country continues to grow economically and demographically.
The project follows a clear and ambitious timeline. With construction now underway, the Al Ajban Solar PV plant is expected to start commercial operations by the third quarter of 2026. Once connected to the grid, it will add a substantial amount of renewable energy capacity and strengthen grid stability.
The Al Ajban project reflects strong cooperation between local and international companies and shows the UAE’s ability to deliver complex infrastructure projects at scale. As construction progresses and more panels are installed, the project will stand as a strong example of how clean energy investments can support energy security, economic growth, and environmental protection at the same time.
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