A view of Noor Abu Dhabi solar project. WAM

Imran Mojib, Special Correspondent

As the UAE capital hosted the Abu Dhabi Climate Meeting over the past two days, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) Awaidha Al Marar stated that Abu Dhabi is a leading international partner in combating climate change and finding solutions to preserve the global ecosystem. The preliminary meeting was held in the lead up to the UN 2019 Climate Summit (Cop25) to be held in New York in September.

He emphasised Abu Dhabi’s commitment to implementing the Paris Agreement 2015 and its dedication to creating new economic and investment opportunities to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030 to overcome worldwide challenges standing in the way of enhancing people’s wellbeing and prosperity.

He said, “Hosting the preliminary meetings for the UN 2019 Climate Summit showcases Abu Dhabi’s leadership on the international stage and its role in shaping the future of mankind. It is another milestone to be added to the UAE’s portfolio, further highlighting our international responsibilities.”

He said that the energy sector is both a key player in combatting global climate change and an effective instrument for shaping the future of vital economic sectors around the world.

Highlighting the importance of Noor Abu Dhabi, he said that it is a significant milestone in the journey towards renewable energy and maximising utilisation of Abu Dhabi natural resources, including solar power.

Al Marar said, “The Noor Abu Dhabi plant is one of the world’s largest independent solar power plants with a production capacity of 1,177 MW. The project helps increase renewable energy production while reducing the use of natural gas in electricity generation, which, in turn, cuts the emirate’s carbon emissions by one million metric tons annually and supports national sustainable development goals.

“One of the key successes in the development of Noor Abu Dhabi was the installation of solar panels that produced 200 MW during peak time in one month only, while the plant deployed 3.2 million panels in total.”

He stressed that the growing global demand for energy necessitates a special focus on improving energy efficiency to maximise operational performance and balance peak demand with peak consumption. The execution of Noor Abu Dhabi project as a joint venture between UAE and international parties is another example of Abu Dhabi offering investment opportunities for the private sector.