Floating solar plant to power an island

COMPANY BEHIND PROJECT OFF ABU DHABI’S NURAI ISLAND WANTS TO IMPLEMENT CONCEPT ON DUBAI’S WORLD ISLANDS

The UAE’s first floating solar power plant will begin energy production this week in Abu Dhabi. Located off Nurai Island, which is a 15-minute boat ride from Abu Dhabi, the floating solar panels will provide an additional 80 kilowatts of energy to the nearby Zaya Nurai resort, where rooftop and ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) systems already generate 1,000 kilowatts.

UAE-based sustainable energy company, Enerwhere, is behind the project, which seeks to pave the way for floating renewable energy solutions in the emirates.

Feras Shadid, head of offgrid division at Enerwhere said: “We wanted to build solar systems on the island without jeopardising the beach space that many tourists enjoy. Our solution was utilising the sea, which we have in abundance.”

Floating solar plants are complex as there are many integral factors such as the dimensions of the structure and the availability of a connection point. The project is expected to be commissioned in the coming few days.

Huge potential

“Abu Dhabi has around 150 islands that could benefit from floating renewable energy solutions,” Shadid said. “We need to cater to the needs of those islands. Our next target is the World Islands in Dubai. These places primarily use diesel and we hope that through the success of our project in Nurai Island, we can promote more sustainable options for those

islands. Considering that we are a UAE-based company, we do ensure that our projects begin locally, however we do have aspirations to take this project to the Maldives and Seychelles as well.”

How it works

The company uses an IP68 photovoltaic panel junction box for this project which ensures that the panels are completely protected from dust and long-term immersion at sea.

Shadid said there are many advantages to floating solar panels. “First, the precious land space of small islands will not be sacrificed and it would not affect guest experience. Second, the waves — around 1.5 metres and 2.5

metres at Nurai Island — can have a cooling effect on the panels, which will help them generate more energy. Third, there is less concern with dust and soiling issues.”

Shadid welcomed visitors to Nurai Island to take a look at the plant. “The boat trips from Nurai Island often pass by the solar panels and it’s a beautiful experience,” he said.

We wanted to build solar systems on the island without jeopardising the beach space that many tourists enjoy. Our solution was utilising the sea.”

Feras Shadid | Head of off-grid division at Enerwhere 80KW of power for Zaya Nurai resort will come from the solar plant