Masdar to add wind energy

“We are evaluating bids from international companies who want to help us build the wind farm,” Frank Wouters, director of Masdar Power, said at an industry briefing in Abu Dhabi today.

Masdar, the Abu Dhabi’s state-owned renewables company, plans to expand its energy portfolio with its first wind farm and a photovoltaic (PV) plant.

The company plans to start building the wind farm this year, Frank Wouters, director at Masdar Power, is quoted by Bloomberg. The wind turbines plant will have a generation capacity of between 20-30 MW.

“We are evaluating bids from international companies who want to help us build the plant,” he said. Wind speeds in the UAE are “moderate, but still sufficient, he told the news service.

Masdar will also award the contract for the 100 MW PV Noor plant.

This will be the second major solar project, after the company announced the 100 MW, US$ 600 million concentrated solar energy(CSP) Shams I project in June last year.

Noor will be cheaper than Shams I, said Wouters, because of improving efficiency of solar technology. Shams I will be less efficient than originally anticipated, as dust particles decrease the amount of sunlight that can be harnessed for energy, he added. Shams 1 is a venture between Masdar, Abengoa SA and Total SA.

Secretary Clinton commended Masdar’s ambition and commitment to advancing and commercializing innovations in renewable energy and clean technology.

www.masdar.ae/