UAE's Abu Dhabi 1.5 GW Al Hazna Solar PV Project Officially Commences Construction

Wedoany.com Report on Jan 31st, The main civil works for the Abu Dhabi Al Hazna Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Project have officially commenced, marking a new phase in the UAE's decarbonization strategy. Located in the Al Hazna area, approximately 80 kilometers east of the capital, the project has a capacity of 1.5 gigawatts (GW). It is the fourth large-scale solar facility in Abu Dhabi, forming part of the local clean energy network alongside the Noor Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra Solar PV projects. Upon full operation, it is expected to provide electricity for around 160,000 UAE households.

The project is being developed by a consortium led by EDF Renewables and China's Jinko Power, with local partners including Masdar and Taqa. Commercial operation is planned for 2027. The project involves leveling thousands of hectares of desert terrain and installing millions of bifacial PV modules. These modules can capture reflected light from the ground, increasing power generation efficiency by approximately 20% compared to traditional technologies in desert environments.

The Al Hazna Solar PV Project will be connected to the high-voltage grid managed by Transco, helping to balance the electrical load between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and enhance system stability. It is projected to offset over 2.4 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, equivalent to taking about 470,000 cars off the road, supporting the UAE's 2050 Net Zero target and its goal of achieving 50% renewable energy in the energy mix by 2030.

The construction phase will create a significant number of job opportunities in areas such as civil engineering and electrical installation, while boosting economic growth through local procurement. The project will also employ an automated robotic cleaning system to address maintenance challenges posed by the dusty environment. With declining solar costs, the Al Hazna project is expected to generate electricity at competitive prices, driving the transformation of the UAE's energy structure.