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UAE solar projects boon for Mauritania

Abu Dhabi - The projects are Masdar's second initiative in Mauritania, and focuses on clean energy generation and distribution in remote areas.

The UAE and Masdar have accelerated the growth of renewable energy in Mauritania, with the start of construction on seven solar photovoltaic projects which will enable Mauritania to save yearly on six million litres of diesel.
The projects are Masdar's second initiative in Mauritania, and focuses on clean energy generation and distribution in remote areas. By virtue of their nature, the solar PV energy production plants will contribute toward limiting climate change impact. A ground-breaking ceremony by representatives of the UAE, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, and Masdar, marked the official start of construction in Mauritania on the seven projects, which have a total capacity of 12MW.
In addition, the initiative also lends strong support to the United Nations' energy-related Sustainable Development Goal. This goal aims to broaden access to clean and affordable energy for greater numbers of people. Respectively the seven power plants will, on average, meet 30 per cent of electricity demand for each of the towns in which they are being developed. The first UAE-funded project Sheikh Zayed 15MW solar energy project in Nouakchott developed by Masdar, was delivered in March 2013. The overall projects of 27MW in Nouakchott including the seven remote cities target 50 per cent of Mauritania's population.
Dr Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Masdar, said: "We know that the renewable energy market is rapidly growing across the globe, and because innovative and ever-evolving technologies are increasingly injecting impetus to the commercial viability of clean energy, we are confident that these PV plants will further serve as testament to the tremendous social impact that Masdar's global renewable energy projects are facilitating. Solar energy solutions provide extraordinary opportunities to address Mauritania's growing energy needs economically and efficiently, while simultaneously improving access to energy and security of supply."
Mohamed Salem Ould Bechir, Mauritania's Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines, added: "This project goes a long way towards accelerating the deployment of renewable energy and shifting Mauritania's reliance on fossilised fuel for electricity. In addition, the projects not only further advance the country's position for faster adoption of renewable energy solutions that will contribute towards a diversified energy sector, but it is also a positive step in natural resources conservation and, very importantly, climate protection - which is a pressing issue for the whole world right now."
- business@khaleejtimes.com