UAE Harnesses Solar Power Before Climate Talks

• Explore the UAE's groundbreaking Al Dhafra solar plant and its ambitious plans to reach "net zero" in carbon emissions by 2050. Be part of the COP28 climate talks to see how the UAE is making progress in tackling climate change.

The United Arab Emirates has inaugurated one of the world’s biggest solar plants, the Al Dhafra Plant, two weeks before the country hosts the COP28 climate talks. The plant is located south of the capital Abu Dhabi and stretches over 21 square kilometers of desert. It features photovoltaic panels that rotate to follow the sun, and robotic cleaning modules to keep them clear of sand and dust. The plant is owned by a consortium of companies, including the UAE’s public energy company ADNOC, and France’s EDF Renewables. It has the capacity to produce two gigawatts of energy, enough to power 160,000 homes. The UAE aims to triple its renewable energy over the next seven years and to achieve “net zero” in domestic carbon emissions by 2050. However, the country plans to increase its crude production, which means its carbon-reduction efforts are rated as “insufficient” by Climate Action Tracker. The COP28 climate talks, set to happen on November 30, will be an opportunity for the UAE to present its plans to mitigate emissions and protect the environment.

What Impact Will the UAE's Al Dhafra Plant Have at COP28?

• The Al Dhafra Plant is a major demonstration of the UAE’s commitment to tackling climate change.
• The plant has solar panels that rotate to follow the sun, and robotic cleaning modules to keep them clear of sand and dust to maximize efficiency.
• The Al Dhafra Plant has the capacity to produce two gigawatts of energy, enough to power 160,000 homes.
• The UAE plans to triple its renewable energy over the next seven years and to achieve “net zero” in domestic carbon emissions by 2050.
• COP28 climate talks will be a platform for the UAE to showcase its plans to reduce emissions and protect the environment.
• However, the UAE plans to increase its crude production, making its carbon-reduction efforts inadequate according to Climate Action Tracker.
• The Al Dhafra Plant will be a major talking point at the COP28 climate talks.
• The plant serves as a key example of the UAE’s progress in mitigating emissions and its commitment to protecting the environment.