UAE Announces Plans for World's Largest Solar Plant

Wednesday, June 9, 2010 - 10:42 in Physics & Chemistry

Concentrated Solar The Shams 1 concentrated-solar power plant will be the world's largest, and the first of its kind in the Middle East. Construction is set to begin in Abu Dhabi later this year. ME NewswireBut oil is still part of the mix One of the world's hottest, sunniest spots will soon be home to the world's largest concentrated solar power plant, helping an oil-rich emirate achieve its renewable energy goals. Though the plant will produce 100 MW of electricity, it won't exactly wean Abu Dhabi off its bread and butter. It's a special kind of solar plant that uses oil along with the power of the sun. Abu Dhabi's state-owned renewable energy firm, Masdar, announced Wednesday that a French oil firm and a Spanish solar firm will build Shams 1 -- named for the Arabic word for sun -- starting later this year. Construction will take about two years. Shams 1...

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