Hitachi ABB Power Grids has announced that it will supply large generator step-up (GSU) transformers, protection and telecommunications to China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), the EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contractor for the Al Dhafra PV2 Solar project in Abu Dhabi.

In a statement, Hitachi ABB Power Grids said that the Al Dhafra PV2 Solar project consists of approximately three million solar panels, making it the world’s largest single-site solar farm. With 2 gigawatts of power capacity, the farm will generate electricity for an estimated 160,000 homes across the UAE, contributing to the shift to sustainable renewable energy.

The project is expected to be put into operation by November 2022.

Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) is developing the plant along with Abu Dhabi’s Masdar, EDF Renewables and Jinko Power. The project is located about 35 kilometres from Abu Dhabi city and will supply power to Emirates Water and Electricity Company.

“We are proud to be part of the Al Dhafra PV2 Solar project as it is a great opportunity for our vision of augmenting the share of renewables in the world’s energy mix,” said Dr. Mostafa AlGuezeri, Managing Director of Hitachi ABB Power Grids in the UAE, Gulf, Near East and Pakistan.

“Electricity will be the backbone of the entire energy system and solar energy will be the one of the most competitive renewable energy in the coming decade, contributing to a carbon-neutral future. The win was unique as we will be delivering these large-scale transformers, control and protection panels and telecom systems in a very short timeframe.”

He added that this benchmark project in the UAE is the latest example of how Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ world-leading technologies are helping to build a global, interconnected and sustainable energy system, enabling sustainable societies and putting the company’s Sustainability 2030 strategy into action.

The high-quality and durable transformers, protection and telecommunication systems are designed to withstand the hot desert climate and intermittent solar power supply and will help to stabilize power transmission to the local power grid, supporting energy-efficiency and the supply of cost-effective solar energy, the statement concluded.