Eight innovative rural solar plants in Mauritania have been finished, and are currently operational, across the country bringing the UAE’s overall contribution to the nation’s clean energy capacity to 31.6 megawatts (MW).
Delivered by Masdar, the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, in partnership with Mauritania’s national electricity provider, Société Mauritanienne d’Electricité (SOMELEC), the 16.6MW of extra solar power will provide up to 30 per cent of the electricity demand of the rural communities of Aleg, Aioune, Akjoujt, Atar, Bani Chab. Boutilimit, Boulenour and El Chami.
Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, opened the projects in the city of Atar, at an event overlapping with Mauritania’s National Day celebrations (November 28), and UAE National Day (December 2).
The eight new plants will boost local energy security by giving safe and dependable clean power to communities not connected to the national electricity grid. By escalating the output of local power grids, they will lessen reliance on diesel-fuelled electricity generators, saving on fuel costs and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
The projects will power about 39,000 households, save up to 10,391,000 litres of diesel fuel and dislodge up to 27,850 tons of carbon emissions yearly.
Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar, said: “This opening ceremony is another milestone in the longstanding cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. The new solar plants confirm the UAE’s leadership dedication to expanding and broaden energy access across the world in an attempt to drive sustainable development.”
He noted: “The eight projects bring economic and social benefits to Mauritania, giving opportunities for training and knowledge-exchange and forming the foundations for enduring growth and development to the local society.”
Dr Mohamed Abdul Fattah, Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines of Mauritania, also stressed the significance of the solar power plants to Mauritania’s sustainable development efforts
“These projects add to the government’s energy and economic diversification plan. Our drive to employ a series of ambitious wind, hydroelectric and solar power projects will add significantly to growing the share of renewables in Mauritania’s future energy mix.”
The Minister in addition lauded Masdar and SOMELEC for the rapid and competent implementation of the projects in challenging and inaccessible environments.
Essa Abdulla Massoud Al Kalbani, the UAE Ambassador to Mauritania, said: “These projects shows why the UAE, through Masdar, is a point of reference for others when it comes to hastening the implementation of renewable energy in developing countries.
