Masdar

The new facility is the first of almost 1 GW of solar generation capacity Emirati developer Masdar is working on bringing to fruition in the Central Asian nation.

South-East Asia’s biggest floating PV installation is under construction by Masdar and Indonesian energy company PT PJB. The two companies secured a PPA for the project with state electricity company Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) in January 2020. The agreed tariff is $0.0581/kWh.

The UAE-based, state-owned renewables company had its original suggestion of a $0.0299/kWh price for the solar power generated refused by Yerevan, with the government putting the project out to a competitive tender. Masdar has won the bidding, but at a reduced energy tariff.

Masdar’s latest, 400 MW solar project win followed hot on the heels of the award of the contract to develop a 457 MW solar field elsewhere in the central Asian nation.

The 1.2 GW, Covid-delayed third round of the kingdom’s clean power program is back up and running, despite the fact the top news story on the relevant government department’s website is dated April 2020.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the world’s sixth largest oil producer and the third-richest country in the world with a GDP per capita of US$57,744. Currently, it is petroleum and natural gas reliant; however, Economy with Vision 2021 is committed to establishing a green economy for sustainable development there, which includes a strong digitalization strategy.

Abu Dhabi-based Masdar says that the United States offers “considerable scope for further growth.”

Masdar is launching a pilot green hydrogen project in the United Arab Emirates. In a recent conversation with pv magazine, two company officials described the project and explained how the hydrogen will be used for road transport, aviation and shipping in Masdar City.

Swedish start-up Azelio says it will have a pilot project up and running in Masdar City by the end of next month. The technology sees electricity used to super heat aluminum with energy released on demand via a heat transfer fluid to drive a Stirling engine.

It has been two years since Fotowatio Renewable Ventures won the bid to develop the 55 MW site and with finance finally secured, the build can go ahead.