Masdar Special Projects

Masdar Installs 5 Small-scale Solar Power Projects In Pacific Islands

written by saurabh

Masdar Special Projects team has announced installation of small-scale solar power projects in Pacific island countries.

Five small-scale solar power projects have been commissioned in countries across the Pacific region. The projects have been implemented under the $50 million UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund (UAE-PPF).

The projects were installed across Solomon Islands, Nauru, the Marshall Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia. Each project has been customised and designed according to the economic and sustainability requirement of the country. The projects are expected to help each country reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.

These projects represent the second cycle installations under the UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund. The projects, with combined generation capacity of 3.1 MW, are expected to offset more than 4,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and save 1.7 million litres of diesel fuel every year.

The first cycle of the fund saw Masdar complete small-scale solar and wind projects in Kiribati, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Highlights from the projects included cyclone-proof wind turbines, space-optimising solar solutions, and plants providing 50% of local energy requirements.

The UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund was launched in response to the identification of renewable energy as a key growth enabler at the January 2012 Pacific Leaders’ Meeting of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Masdar was appointed to design and implement the projects by working closely with partners in the UAE and the host nation.

May 14, 2016 0 comment

Masdar Commissions 30 MW Hybrid Solar Power Projects In Egypt

written by saurabh

Last year, Masdar announced plans to set up renewable energy projects in Egypt as part of its plan to expand into the emerging markets of Middle East and North Africa. The special projects unit of Masdar has now announced that it commissioned a total capacity of 30 MW capacity various parts of Egypt. This includes utility-scale hybrid solar power projects as well as off-grid solar power systems with facility of storage.

The largest of the utility-scale project has a capacity of 10 MW and its located in Siwa. The project generates over 17,500 MWh every year and meets 30% of the area’s electricity demand. An additional 6 projects with combined generation capacity of 20 MW were also commissioned.

Solar power panels have been added to existing diesel-based power systems thus creating solar-diesel hybrid power systems. The capacity of these projects is between 0.5 MW and 6 MW. According to Masdar press release, the projects ‘save costs associated with the purchase and transport of diesel, reducing risk of fuel price increases and supply shortages, and greatly reduce CO2 emissions.’

ACWA Power and Masdar had signed an agreement with Egyptian Electricity Holding Company to develop 2 GW of renewable energy capacity, including 1.5 GW solar power and 500 MW wind energy capacity. The companies are expected to start the capacity development with a 200 MW solar photovoltaic power plant.

Masdar group also set up 7,000 off-grid solar power systems in remote areas of Egypt which had no access to electricity. The systems consist of two solar panels, two batteries with up to two days of storage capacity and lighting units. These systems have been set up at homes, mosques, clinics, schools and community centres.

May 9, 2016 0 comment