Abu Dhabi utility to set up 350MW solar power plant

 The Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) is working on a 350MW photovoltaic solar power plant in Sweihan area in the city's outskirts. The facility is planned to be the largest in the Middle East.
The new solar plant will make Abu Dhabi a renewable energy hub. Shams 1, a 100MW concentrating solar power (CSP) project, is successfully generating electricity in Madinat Zayed in the Western Region; an 11MW CSP project is working in Masdar City; and 5,600MW four nuclear power reactors will start coming online from 2017.
Abu Dhabi is targeting to increase its electric power generating capacity from renewables to seven per cent by 2020.
The emirate, which uses domestic natural gas and imports from Qatar to generating its 1,8500MW electricity output, will save natural gas, which could be utilised for other purposes.
The project is also expected to result in the generation of electrical capacity based on competitive economic terms.
The ADWEA had issued invitations to express interest for the Sweihan plant to ensure competition in selecting an independent power producer or consortium of developers to build the project. "The number of responses received from international and local companies specialised in renewable energy have reached 90, including leading companies in the areas of manufacturing, scientific research, development, investment and implementation of major projects in the field of solar energy," an ADWEA official said.
A number of specialised technical, financial and legal consulting firms have submitted proposals seeking to be appointed as consultants for the Sweihan solar power project.
The ADWEA and ADWEC (Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Company) are evaluating the proposals. Consultants will be appointed before the end of this month.
The project will commence commercial operation and generate electricity in 2019.
haseeb@khaleejtimes.com