Xinhua News Agency, Abu Dhabi, November 2, Communications | Green energy in the desert-Chinese companies help the UAE's low-carbon transformation
Xinhua News Agency reporter Wen Xinxin
Under the sun, rows of photovoltaic panels are erected on the light yellow sand, spreading along the terrain into the distance. Under the board, the brackets cast neat shadows. Looking around, acres of photovoltaic facilities are connected to the desert skyline. Recently, reporters visited the site of the Abu Dhabi PV3 Ajiban 1.5 GW photovoltaic project located in the northeastern part of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and visited this large power station that is about to be connected to the grid for power generation.
In the substation area, electrical equipment is staggered and arranged in an orderly manner. Beside the fence, workers wearing hard hats and reflective vests were working. From collecting sunlight to collecting and transmitting electricity, the outline of a large photovoltaic power station gradually becomes clear in the desert.
Wang Xinjin, manager of the Abu Dhabi PV3 Ajiban 1.5 GW photovoltaic project of China Power Construction Group Co., Ltd. (referred to as "PowerChina"), introduced at the scene that after the completion of the project, the power station is expected to generate an annual power generation of 4.4 billion kilowatt hours, which can meet the electricity demand of approximately 160,000 households and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 2.4 million tons per year, providing support for the UAE to expand clean energy supply and promote low-carbon transformation.
The PV3 Ajban 1.5 GW photovoltaic project in Abu Dhabi covers an area of approximately 20 square kilometers. Power China East China Survey and Design Institute Co., Ltd. is responsible for the engineering design, procurement and construction general contracting tasks. It is the first large-scale photovoltaic project undertaken by Power China in the UAE.
Chinese companies bring not only engineering construction capabilities, but also new energy technologies and equipment. During the construction of this project, domestic photovoltaic installation robots were put into use, providing a new construction method for large-scale component installation. From photovoltaic modules to intelligent construction equipment, the development results of China's new energy industry are entering the energy infrastructure construction site in the Gulf region.
The UAE has abundant solar energy resources. In recent years, this traditional oil and gas producing country has actively developed renewable energy, promoted the diversification of its energy structure, and proposed the goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. A number of solar and wind energy projects participated by Chinese companies have been put into operation one after another, converting abundant local sunshine and wind energy into clean electricity and providing support for its low-carbon transformation.
In the desert south of Dubai, the fourth and fifth phases of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which Chinese companies participated in the construction of, demonstrate different technical paths for utilizing solar energy.
The fourth phase of the solar park project undertaken by Shanghai Electric Group includes 700 MW of solar thermal power generation and 250 MW of photovoltaic power generation facilities. The towering heat collection towers set off a large area of solar energy facilities. Thermal storage technology allows the power station to store part of the solar energy and continue to generate electricity after sunset. The project can reduce carbon emissions by approximately 1.6 million tons per year.
The fifth phase of the 900-MW photovoltaic project that Shanghai Electric Group participated in has also been put into operation, which can reduce carbon emissions by approximately 1.18 million tons per year. Together, the two projects can reduce carbon emissions by approximately 2.78 million tons per year, providing support for Dubai's expansion of clean energy supply.
Chinese companies are also helping the UAE explore renewable energy sources other than solar energy. The UAE's first utility-scale wind power project, the UAE Wind Power Demonstration Project, undertaken by PowerChina will be completed in 2023. The projects are located in islands, mountains and semi-desert areas in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. Its annual power generation can meet the electricity needs of more than 23,000 households, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 120,000 tons each year, and has accumulated practical experience for local wind energy development.
As the scale of renewable energy installations expands, how to improve the continuity and stability of power supply has become an important issue that needs to be solved in the energy transformation. China-Arab new energy cooperation is also extending to the field of combining photovoltaics and energy storage.
In Abu Dhabi, the UAE RTC photovoltaic energy storage project, a large-scale photovoltaic energy storage project participated in by Power Construction Corporation of China, is advancing. The northern block that China is responsible for includes 2.1 GW of DC side photovoltaic installed capacity and 7.75 GWh of energy storage systems. According to the project plan, the overall project will operate collaboratively with photovoltaics and large-scale energy storage to provide all-weather clean power and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 5.7 million tons per year.
Francesco La Camera, Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency, said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency reporters in Abu Dhabi that China has made important contributions to global energy transformation and reduction of carbon emissions by promoting technological progress and reducing the cost of clean energy equipment.
La Camera said that China has promoted continuous advancement of technologies such as solar energy, wind energy and batteries, which has led to a significant reduction in the cost of related products. Internationally, China provides the world with competitive renewable energy technology and equipment, making it more affordable and accessible. Greater cooperation on technology, financing and infrastructure could enable more countries to benefit from falling renewable energy costs and accelerate global emissions reductions.
From the photovoltaic power station in Ajban that is about to be connected to the grid, to the solar thermal photovoltaic facilities that have been put into operation in Dubai, to the photovoltaic energy storage project that is being promoted, Chinese companies are participating in the construction of the UAE's clean energy system through equipment supply, technology application and engineering construction.
