Department of Energy to focus expanding solar
Abu Dhabi is currently building the world’s largest solar plant in Sweihan
The Chairman of the Department of Energy-Abu Dhabi, Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, yesterday said the newly created department will focus on finding the right mix of energy that fits Abu Dhabi’s interests, including special emphasis on solar and other sources of energy.
“Right now, the energy mix is heavily loaded with gas sources but we are expanding tremendously on utilising the solar and our target is to heavily focus on solar mix. We will also be looking at other alternative sources of energy,” Al Marar told reporters at the launch of a new strategy for the department.
Abu Dhabi is currently building the world’s largest solar plant in Sweihan at an estimated cost of $870 million as it works towards generating more clean energy. The project is being undertaken by the Department of Energy in cooperation with Japanese company Marubeni, and Chinese manufacturer JinkoSolar. Abu Dhabi has set a target of 7 per cent of renewable energy by 2020.
Al Marar also said they are upgrading desalination plants and raising their efficiency. In a month, they would be launching one of the biggest desalination plants in the world with a capacity of 200 million gallons per day, he said.
The Department of Energy was created earlier this year with the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) and the Regulation and Supervision Bureau becoming part of it.