From the deserts of Abu Dhabi to the world, how Masdar is building a greener tomorrow

Two hours drive southwest Abu Dhabi Take you to the place where the endless desert meets the blue sky.

But as the road continued into Al Dhafra, rows of iridescent mirrors began to twinkle on the horizon.

This is not a desert mirage, but sham 1a solar power plant that is the future of electricity.

sponsor Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy) In 2013, the 100-megawatt power plant provided clean electricity to 20,000 households.

It also aims to reduce United Arab EmiratesEmitting approximately 175,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to planting 1.5 million trees or removing 15,000 cars from Abu Dhabi’s roads, reducing its carbon footprint.

Shams 1 is the largest solar power plant of its kind in the world, and the symbolism of its location couldn’t be clearer. Al Dhafra is the birthplace of Abu Dhabi’s fossil fuel industry and the historic centre of the emirate’s Bedouin heritage.

But now, in addition to oil derricks, gas fields and refineries, there is a renewable energy plant that shows how an emirate usually associated only with oil can upend those perceptions.

“The inauguration of Shams 1 is a breakthrough in the development of renewable energy in the Middle East,” said Dr. Sultan Al JaberServed as CEO of Masdar at the Shams launch in 2013.He is now Chairman of Masdar, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change.

“Investments in complex projects such as Shams 1 nurture our future energy leaders, create professional jobs and encourage economic development,” said Dr. Al Jaber.

“Clean energy is in line with the heritage of conservation instilled in us by our Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.”

Nearly a decade on, Masdar has become a global renewable energy powerhouse operating in at least 40 countries.As the UAE prepares to host COP28 Summit 2023, National Discover how Masdar, led by Dr. Al Jaber, is helping the world transition to clean energy.

From the Abu Dhabi desert to the world

The journey began in 2006, when Masdar (meaning “source” in Arabic) was established.This is the period in which the emirate begins a new era of growth, with major projects in Yas Island and Saadiyat start. But even so, sustainability matters.

its first project is Masdar CityOpened in 2010 to promote sustainable living, the city’s buildings are designed to use 40% less energy and water than a typical building.it is also Global Headquarters International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), Siemens Middle East and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. Announced in June, the city’s new Masdar City Plaza development will include the capital’s first net-zero office building.

Groundbreaking sustainable research and development projects are also carried out there, such as its energy storage system and eco-villa.

“The vision of urban sustainability and efforts to build sustainable cities that Masdar City reflects is very important,” said David Sandallo, a senior research scholar at Columbia University’s Center for Global Energy Policy. “I’ve always been impressed with it.”

The development of Masdar City is underway, which is often the project that many people think of when they hear about Masdar. But from its early years, the company has expanded from its Abu Dhabi base. It helped launch a wind farm in Texas, a waste-to-energy plant in Australia, and a solar project in Afghanistan. For example, roof panels installed on homes, schools, mosques and clinics in more than a dozen villages in Helmand have improved the lives of 3,000 people who previously had no access to electricity.

Masdar also helped build the London Array, one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms and the world’s first floating offshore wind farm, sea ​​breezeLocated off the coast of Scotland, Hywind opened in 2017 and provides clean electricity to 22,000 homes.

“Masdar is a major global force,” Mr Sandalo said. “In dozens of countries, [Masdar] Significant funding and significant expertise are being provided [for] Clean energy transition. “

UAE, Masdar and tackling climate change

This year unusual heat wave The scorched part of the world. Temperatures in the UK exceed 40ºC for the first time in history. Extreme heat has also affected countries such as India, the US, Australia, Spain, Germany and China. Scientists predict that these events will become more common.

“As a world, we are not moving fast enough to address the threat of climate change,” said Mr. Sandallo, who has held senior positions at the White House, State Department and the U.S. Department of Energy. “Parts of the world may become uninhabitable over the next few decades.”

OPEC member UAE announced in 2021 intention Become a net zero emitter by 2050. It also announced an ambitious plan to invest AED600 billion ($163.3 billion) in clean and renewable energy over the next 30 years. The UAE aims to achieve an energy mix of 44% clean energy; 38% natural gas; 12% clean coal; and 6% nuclear power by 2050.

Following Cop27 hosted by Egypt in November this year, the country will also host the Cop28 Global Climate Summit in Dubai Expo City in 2023. The meetings are designed to help countries stick to limiting global warming to 2ºC above pre-industrial levels and to keep it at 1.5ºC as envisaged by the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

“These police officers are vital,” Mr Sandalo said. “The good news is that the technology we have can play a big role in meeting this challenge. The bad news is that emissions are still rising. That’s why initiatives like Masdar’s are so important.”

Mr Sandalo said climate change was a “very difficult to communicate” political issue, but a combination of strong statements from leaders showing economic opportunity and highlighting the reality of climate change could help. In addition, the UAE is a long-established oil supplier and home to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), and its symbolism of hosting a major global climate summit should not be forgotten by anyone.

“Cop28 will focus on the role of the oil and gas industry in the clean energy transition,” Mr Sandalo said. “Oil and gas producers know how to deploy capital and a lot of technology. We need those areas of expertise that focus on new forms of energy. This is exactly the type of activity where Adnoc and Masdar can play a big role.”

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber’s long-term commitment to renewable energy

Dr. Al Jaber has held various positions, and he is also ardnock, putting him at the forefront of the fight against climate change. Dr Al Jaber speaks at MENA Climate Week 2022, says building greener tomorrow needs time Hasty policies that push people into energy poverty will not work.

“In addition to renewable energy, we also need nuclear power, gas and oil from the regions of the world that produce the least carbon emissions,” he said. “We shouldn’t have policies that lead to energy poverty.”

The UAE has some of the lowest-cost solar power facilities in the world, and power plants such as Shams 1 help make this happen. It was also the first Arab country to develop a peaceful nuclear energy program.

Dr. Al Jaber outlined the UAE’s long-term commitment to combating climate change; more than $1 billion in climate aid to more than 40 countries; and its historic commitments to the environment, such as ending flaring.

“I am very impressed with Sultan Al Jaber’s leadership in this area,” said Mr Sandalow. “He combines a genuine commitment to the clean energy transition with a maturity of the way the current oil and gas market works.”