The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is known for its diversified energy sources and is popularly known for its oil & gas projects globally. UAE is also well-versed in infrastructure and renewable energy projects, such as solar and green hydrogen.

UAE boasts one of the world's largest solar projects, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which currently operates at about 3460 MW and will reach a full capacity of 5000 MW once fully operational. As UAE aims to expand its solar market, several large-scale giga-projects are planned and executed across UAE. This includes Masdar and CATL's 5200 MW solar + 19 GWh battery project and the AL Ajban Solar PV project. 

In this blog, we have listed the top solar projects in the UAE, including operational and upcoming projects, ranked based on their capacities. Keep reading to learn more.

List of Top Solar Projects in the UAE (2025)

Masdar-CATL Giga Project

On 17th January 2025, CATL and Masdar of UAE announced a partnership to build solar power and battery storage in Abu Dhabi. This project includes 5.2 GW of solar capacity and 19 GWh of energy storage, making it one of the largest solar and Battery and Energy Storage System (BESS) projects in the world. 

This giga-project, once operational, holds the capacity of delivering 1 GW of baseload power 24 hours a day for 7 days a week, making it a "round the clock" giga-scale project. The estimated project cost is USD 6 billion. 

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park (MBRM) is a 5000 MW solar park located across 190271.1 acres in Saih Al-Dahal, 50 km south of Dubai. Currently, it is the world's largest single-site solar park. It operates under the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) owns and operates this plant, which was planned and executed in six phases. A tender was issued for a seventh phase, with a total investment of AED 50 billion (USD 13.6 billion). Once finished, it will reduce more than 6.5 million tons of carbon emissions yearly. 

Currently, the first five phases are commissioned, operating at a 3,460 MW capacity. The MBRM Solar Park’s sixth phase is under construction with a capacity of 1800 MW and will become operational between 2024 and 2026.

On 25th February 2025, DEWA announced a tender for the 7th phase of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which will have a capacity of up to 1.6 GW to 2 GW of PV capacity and 1 GW of battery storage. The interested developers are given time till 25th March 2025 to express their interest in the seventh phase.

In March 2025, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), reviewed the progress of the sixth phase. Al Tayer announced that the sixth phase is about 53% complete, and 600 MW of a total 1800 MW is already operational. The sixth phase uses bifacial solar PV single-axis tracking. This phase will provide clean energy to approximately 540,000 residences annually.

The Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Contract and 33kV substation connecting to the DEWA grid were awarded to First Solar for phase 1. It was also developed by Abu Dhabi Future Energy, Acwa Power, EDF Renewables, First Solar, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, Grupo Gransolar, and TSK Solar.       

At the 2014 MEED Quality Awards, DEWA was named the UAE's best sustainable project of the Year, with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park being a contributing factor. This project will help Dubai achieve its clean energy goals for 2030 and 2050.

Also Read: UAE's Largest Single-Site Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park

Al Dhafra Solar PV

The Al Dhafra Solar PV IPP is a 2 GW project located around 30 km south of Abu Dhabi in the UAE. It is owned by Dhafrah PV2 Energy Company LLC, which is owned in a 60-40% partnership. About 60% of the ownership is owned by TAQA and Masdar. The remaining 40% is owned by a foreign holding company, which is covered in a 50-50% partnership by EDF Renewables and Jinko Power.  

The EPC contract for this project was awarded to China Machinery Engineering Construction (CMEC) with a 30-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) awarded to EWEC on 23rd July 2020.  

This 2 GW plant boasts 4,000,000 solar modules and 33,000 solar trackers, producing 4,700 GWh of clean energy per year. It is spread across 21.18 square kilometres, which is equivalent to 3000 football pitches. In December 2020, EDF Renewables, Jinko Power, Masdar, and TAQA confirmed the completion of the financial closing for the Al Dhafra solar PV project. The estimated project cost for this project is USD 1 billion.  

In November 2023, HH Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, commissioned the 2 GW Al Dhafra Solar PV plant that is generating sufficient clean energy for 200,000 homes across the UAE, displacing 2.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

Al Ajban Solar PV Project

The Al Ajban Solar PV Project is a 1.5 GW upcoming solar project that is planned as a part of the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 initiative. This plant is being constructed, featuring 3 million solar panels using advanced bifacial technology that will supply clean energy to about 160,00 UAE households on commission. 

The project is led by industry giants such as EDF Renewables and Korean Western Power (KOWEPO) with their partner Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company - Masdar. EDF Renewables and KOWEPO each hold a 20% stake as lead members, whereas Masdar, a local shareholder, holds a 60% stake in the project. 

A 30-year PPA agreement is signed with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), which includes the design, finance, building, and operation of the plant. 

On 17th September 2024, the project announced a financial close for the Al Ajban Solar PV project in Abu Dhabi. It is being financed by six top-tier banks and financial institutions such as BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole CIB, Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC Middle East, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), and Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM). 

On 19th November 2024, the Al Ajban Solar PV Project broke ground contracted by POWERCHINA. This project is located in the Al Ajban region, approximately 88 kilometers northeast of Abu Dhabi, near the border with Dubai.

On 3rd January 2025, Artech secured a 1.5 GW contract award from POWERCHINA for supplying SkyLine II single-axis solar trackers for the Al Ajban Solar PV project in the UAE.  

Track this upcoming and ongoing solar project in UAE and stay updated with the latest developments by subscribing to Blackridge's solar projects in the MENA database.

Zarraf Solar PV Project

Zarraf Solar PV project is a 1500 MW power project developed by EWEC. It is planned in the Al Zarraf area of the Al Dhafra Region. This greenfield project will provide electricity to 160,000 homes and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 2.4 million metric tonnes annually. 

This upcoming project issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to qualified companies on 9th January 2025. This is EWEC's and Abu Dhabi's fifth world-leading solar project, increasing Abu Dhabi's Solar power capacity to 10 GW AC by 2030.

The Zarraf Solar PV project will involve the development, financing, construction, operation, maintenance, and ownership of the plant and associated infrastructure. The successful developer or developer consortium will own up to 40% of the entity, while the remaining equity will be held indirectly by the Abu Dhabi Government.

The developer will enter into a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with EWEC, the single buyer of power and water capacity and output in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The PPA will be structured as an energy purchase agreement whereby EWEC will pay only for the net electrical energy supplied by the plant.

Responses to the RFP are due by Q2 2025. EWEC will then hold a public event to confirm the companies and consortiums that submit its proposals.

Khanzna Solar PV plant

The Khanzna Solar PV plant is a 1500 MW upcoming utility-scale solar power project planned in Abu Dhabi. This plant is expected to generate sufficient electricity for 160,000 homes across the UAE and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 2.4 million metric tons annually.  

On 30th October 2024, EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company) announced it received proposals from ENGIE, a consortium of EDF Renewables and Korea Western Power, and a consortium of Jinko Power and JERA. 

The Khanzna Solar PV plant is planned as a pivotal project of EWEC that will contribute to strategic plans to increase Abu Dhabi's solar power generation capacity to approximately 13 GW by 2030. Planned in the Al Khazna area of Abu Dhabi, the Khanza Solar PV project will be EWEC's fourth world-leading, utility-scale solar power project, increasing EWEC's total solar power capacity to 5.5 GW AC. 

EWEC received about 27 Expressions of Interest from potential bidding companies and consortiums. These proposals will undergo a detailed technical and commercial evaluation process to select the best proposal. The awarding announcement and the execution of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the Khanzna Solar PV plant is expected to take place by Q2 2025.

Uniper Masdar Hydrogen Solar PV Park

In December 2022, Uniper, a German utility company, announced its partnership with Masdar to build a green hydrogen plant in the UAE. Masdar and Uniper also announced the building of a 1.3 GW solar plant that will support electrolysis to produce clean hydrogen in 2026. 

This will be a ground-mounted solar project co-owned by Abu Dhabi Future Energy and Uniper, each with a 50% stake.

Noor Abu Dhabi

Noor Abu Dhabi is one of the largest operational plants in Abu Dhabi. This 1.2 GW solar project features about 3.3 million solar panels and is operated by Sweihan PV Power Company (SPPC). It is located in Sweihan, Abu Dhabi, it covers an area of 8 square kilometers.

The project is owned and operated by Sweihan PV Power Company. This company is co-owned by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) with a 60% share, Marubeni Corporation, and JinkoSolar, each with a 20% share.

It began its commercial operations on 30th April 2019 and supplies clean energy across Abu Dhabi through a PPA agreement with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC).

This project offsets about 1 million metric tons of carbon footprint annually, which is equivalent to taking 20,000 cars off the roads. It was awarded the "Power Generation Project of the Year Award at MEED Projects Awards 2020".

Noor Energy Abu Dhabi raised a USD 700 million Green Bond during the project initiation, which was listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) in January 2022. During its time of bidding, it broke the record of the world's most competitive tariff of 8.888 fils/kWh.

Brooge Green Ammonia Solar Farm

The Brooge Green Ammonia Solar Farm is an upcoming solar farm project with a 650 MW capacity. It is being developed by Brooge Renewable Energy Ltd (BRE) and Siemens Energy. This solar farm project will supply solar energy for BRE renewable hydrogen & ammonia projects near Abu Dhabi. Siemens Energy is providing engineering, design, procurement, and construction of the plant, including grid connection, operation, and maintenance services for this plant. 

The project is executed in two phases. Brooge Renewable Energy Ltd engaged EY to conduct a feasibility test for this project on 11th August 2022, which was completed successfully in 2023.  A further update on the project is awaited. 

Shams CSP Plant

Shams CSP is a 100 MW plant located in Western Abu Dhabi. It was the largest renewable energy project in operation in the Middle East back in 2013. Spread across 2.5 square kilometres. 

It was one of the largest concentrated solar thermal power plants in the world built by Total Energies in partnership with Masdar and Abengoa Solar. In 2008, Masdar broke ground on Masdar City for this plant. In 2010, the local governments selected Total Energies and Abengoa Solar, a leading provider of concentrated solar power solutions.

It features about 768 parabolic trough collectors (linear concentrated solar power methods) to generate clean, renewable electricity sufficient to supply 20,000 households. This plant plays a key role in displacing about 175,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, which is equivalent to removing 15,000 cars from Abu Dhabi, thus supporting UAE Net Zero 2050. 

Shams CSP was the first CSP plant that contributed toward Abu Dhabi's target of 30% power generation capacity via clean energy by 2030.  has won several awards, including the "Project of the Year Award 2013" by the Emirates Solar Industry Association.

Conclusion

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park currently operates one of the world's largest solar projects. Its other significant projects include the AL Ajban solar PV project, the Zarraf solar project, the Khanzna Solar project, and the Masdar- CATL giga projects. UAE is strides towards its 2005 clean energy goals. 

By investing in large-scale solar projects, the UAE is strengthening its position in the global solar market and is shaping a sustainable future for future generations. These projects contribute to reducing reliance on fossil fuels, thereby reducing carbon footprint and ensuring a future driven by renewable energy. 

FAQ’s

Which is the largest solar park in Dubai?

Currently, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the largest single-site solar park in Dubai and in the world, contributing to dubai clean energy strategy.  

What is the L&T solar project in Dubai?

The sixth phase of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is being constructed by L&T. 

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