The Middle East is known for its vast petroleum resources and oil has been its primary source of wealth. But the desert region is now becoming a significant center for solar energy as well. The world’s largest single-site solar park is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, located in the United Arab Emirates.
Currently, 1 GW of solar is operational at the facility, but work is underway that will add 1.8 GW more capacity. Over 2.2 million solar panels have been installed to date and there will be more than 3.9 million by the time the next phase is completed. By the end of the decade, the capacity of the facility is expected to reach 7.2 GW, exceeding the original 5 GW target. The plant will contribute about a third of Dubai’s total electricity capacity.
This solar plant will be one of the 15 largest power plants in the world. Most of the largest ones are hydroelectric plants. The biggest is the Three Gorges Dam in China, which has an enormous 22.5 GW capacity. The only non-hydro plant in the top 10 is the Jebel Ali natural gas plant, located in the United Arab Emirates. China’s Jiuquan Wind Farm has a capacity of nearly 8 GW. The largest power plant in the United States is the Grand Coulee Dam, which has a 6.8 GW capacity.
The world’s hunger for electric power continues to grow, especially with the surging use of AI technology. As a result, there will be growing numbers of increasingly larger power plants.
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World’s largest solar park adds 1 GW
Photo courtesy of the Dubai Media Office.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio
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