MASDAR has officially launched the world’s largest concentrated solar power plant (CSP) in operation, marking a major milestone for renewable energy in the Middle East.

Covering an area of 2.5 sq km in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, Shams One is a 100-MW grid connected power plant that will generate clean energy to power 20,000 homes in the UAE.

HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, who inaugurated the plant, said: “The inauguration of Shams One is a major milestone in our country’s economic diversification and a step toward long-term energy security. Shams One is a strategic investment in our country’s economic, social and environmental prosperity. The domestic production of renewable energy extends the life of our  country’s valuable hydrocarbon resources and supports the growth of a promising new industry.”

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, said: “The inauguration of Shams One is a breakthrough for renewable energy development in the Middle East, which is poised for major investments in renewables, and Shams One proves the economic and environmental advantage of deploying large-scale solar projects.”

Shams 1 was designed and developed by Shams Power Company, a joint venture between Masdar, Total and Abengoa Solar.