Enviromena completes it's first large scale project: Masdar 10MW Solar Plant

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the solar photovoltaic plant was inaugurated yesterday at Masdar City by His Highness Sheikh Diab bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA).

Following the inauguration event, Enviromena CEO Sami Khoreibi commented:

"This represents a major milestone in the development of Masdar City and Abu Dhabi's decision to achieve a seven percent renewable energy target by 2020."

The 212 000 square meter (55 acre) solar system is comprised of 87,777 photovoltaic modules and will produce 17,500 MWh of clean energy each year, offsetting approximately 15,000 tons of carbon emissions annually - the equivalent of 11,000 passengers flying from Abu Dhabi to London. The plant will produce energy to power the initial construction activities of Masdar City. The Dhs185m project is one the most quickly constructed and cost-efficient photovoltaic installations in the world in terms of projected power output.

Enviromena Vice President Sander Trestain, who managed the construction and startup of the solar power system, commented, "We are delighted that the plant is performing as expected and that we were able to deliver the installation on budget and on schedule. This facility proves that utility scale grid connected renewable energy projects are feasible in Abu Dhabi and the wider region. We were very pleased to implement highly innovative clean construction techniques, such as the use of concrete with recycled content, using a carbon management company to offset emissions from all site construction activities, reusing and recycling materials extensively across the site, and rigorously engineering the system to reduce the total amount of steel installed."

Sami Khoreibi commented further, "The success of this project has made Enviromena the clear leader for solar installations in the region. As a locally headquartered company, this achievement demonstrates the remarkable progress Abu Dhabi and Masdar have made in becoming an international hub for alternative energy and clean technologies. Solar energy is a highly complementary addition to the region's power portfolio as it produces the most energy during the height of the day, when power demand is also at its peak. The Masdar 10MW Solar Power Plant is a catalyst for the wide scale implementation of clean energy solutions in the Middle East and North Africa."

Masdar City, is the world's first carbon neutral, zero waste city fully powered by renewable energy. The city's development is part of the Masdar Initiative, a multi-faceted Abu Dhabi initiative wholly owned by the Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) to advance the development, commercialization, and deployment of renewable energy.