Masdar's Shams 1 concentrated solar power plant now powers 20,000 homes
2018.10.18 From: gulfnews.com
The Shams 1 solar power plant, a joint venture between Masdar and France’s Total, is generating electricity to power 20,000 homes and playing a vital role in meeting the UAE’s energy demand, a top official said.
“Shams is a very important project not only for shareholders but also for the UAE,” said Majed Al Awadi, general manager of Shams Power Company. “It paved the way for projects like Mohammad Bin Rashid Park in Dubai and others. Its success enabled people to invest in solar projects without worry,”
Al Awadi, earlier associated with Borouge petrochemical plant in Al Ruwais, took over the reins of Shams 1 power plant in March and has big plans for it. Shams 1, inaugurated in 2013 at Madinat Zayed in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region, is one of the largest concentrated solar power plants in the world. It has an installed capacity of 100MW. Shams 1 was built for $600 million (Dh2.2 billion).
MADINAT ZAYED, WESTERN REGION OF ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – March 17, 2013: HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi (R), looks at the Shams 1 Concentrated Solar Power plant during the opening ceremony. Shams 1 is a project of the Shams Power Company, a subsidiary of Masdar, in association with Total and Abengoa Solar. Seen with HH Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan Ruler’s Representative of the Eastern Region (L), HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber CEO of Masdar (2nd L), HH General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (3rd L), HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice-President Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai (4th L) and others..( Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court – Abu Dhabi ).—
In the short term, Al Awadi said he will mainly focus on safety, efficiency and development of manpower at the power project. “Concentrated Solar Power plant is not much different from a normal power plant. We have steam, gas, a lot of equipment and a big turbine. There are hazards in this type of work and we always want to keep our contractors and people safe.
“My second priority is efficiency. Shams has been delivering excellent results. Generation of power is our business and we have to continue doing it. We will work on maintenance, on how to improve the operation of our processes and how we can reduce cost and maximise generation of power.
He will also be focusing on the development of Shams’ visitor centre, which will be located at the plant itself. It will be a hub for knowledge on renewable energy, solar energy and technology, Al Awadi said.
“We will use it as a platform to build relations with international delegates, with local entities, with universities and other visitors.”
When asked whether there were plans to expand the solar plant further, Al Awadi said it has the capability, but the decision has to come from the government. “The majority of countries in the region recognise the importance of renewable energy. There is a trend for diversifying the source of energy due to continuous increase in demand. Whether you invest early and become a leader or you wait until it is late. The UAE has taken a lead since 2006, when Masdar was created.”
Saudi Arabia is also building new solar power plants to meet growing power demand.
Relevant CSP Conference: CSP Focus Innovation 2018(Oct.25-26, Xi'an, China.)
More from CSP Focus
NextRebirth of SolarReserve’s 450 MW Likana Brings CSP Supply Chain Hope for Chile
Asia’s first integrated solar thermal power plant is now online
How Did Cosin Solar Tower CSP Reach Projected Performance So Fast?
Concrete base of CSP tower for 4th phase of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park now complete
Drone-based solar field inspection service QFly continues market penetration
Designing Solar Furnaces to Make Biochars without Air Pollution
Industry Shares its Experience to Advance Next Generation CSP
Steam turbine 1st roll-up successfully made in SUPCON 50MW molten salt tower CSP project
Leave your thoughts here
Free Reports
See more+-
Dubai 950MW NOOR Energy 1 CSP+PV Project
The $4.4 billion Noor Energy 1 solar thermal project will be the world’s largest CSP plant and includes a 100 MW CSP tower plant, three 200 MW parabolic trough CSP systems, 250 MW of PV capacity and 15 hours of molten salt CSP storage capacity.
-
China Large-scale CSP Projects Update
Updating--Jan., 2020 Edition24 pagesPart 1: Background and Fact Sheet (P1-11) · Implementation and adjustment of 1st batch of CSP demonstrations· FiT policy update and prediction· Sum-up on the 20 projects technology, location, ownership and key participants Part 2: Milestones of Ch
-
Suppliers List of China Key CSP Projects (Updating)
13 key concentrated solar power projects in China undergoing:Shouhang Dunhuang 100MW Molten Salt Parabolic Trough ProjectRoyal Tech Yumen 50MW Parabolic Trough ProjectDCTC Dunhuang 50MW MS CLFR ProjectRayspower Yumen 50MW Trough ProjectCNNC Royal Tech Urad 100MW Parabolic Trough ProjectSupcon Delingha 50MW Molten Salt Tower ProjectLuNeng Haixi 50 MW Solar Thermal Tower Plant ProjectPower C
-
Construction and Operation of SUPCON SOLAR Delingha 50MW Tower CSP Project
40 pages in totalCompany Profile (P3-4)Construction of Delingha 50MW Tower CSP Project (P6-17)Operation of Delingha 50MW Tower CSP Project (P18-30)Issues during Commissioning and Operation (P31-39)
Upcoming Events
See more+-
12th CSP Focus China 2022
2022.04.21-22 Beijing
-
11th CSP Focus China 2021
2021.10.28-29 Beijing
-
10th CSP Focus China 2020
2020.10.22-23 Beijing, China
Project Updates
See more+-
Luneng Haixi 50MW Molten Salt Tower CSP Project
Asia Pacific-China,Under construction,Power Tower
-
Dubai 950MW NOOR Energy 1 CSP+PV Project
MENA-UAE,Under construction,Power Tower
-
Power China Gonghe 50MW Molten Salt Tower CSP Project
Asia Pacific-China,Under construction,Power Tower
-
Supcon Delingha 50MW Molten Salt Tower CSP Project
Asia Pacific-China,Under construction,Power Tower