UAE launches 103.5 MW wind project

The UAE Wind Programme project is spread across four areas.

The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) inaugurated the 103.5-megawatt (MW) UAE Wind Programme which could provide electricity to over 23,000 homes annually.

In a statement, developer Masdar said the project spans four locations, including the 45 MW capacity plus 14 MW peak in Sir Bani Yas Island, 27 MW in Delma Island, 27 MW in Al Sila, and 4.5 MW in Al Halah.

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The UAE Wind Programme will avoid 120,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, equivalent to removing 26,000 petrol-powered cars annually.

Masdar said utility-scale wind power used to be unfeasible in the country due to low wind speeds but innovations such as larger turbines, lower hardware costs and the discovery of a weather phenomenon that generates high winds at night made the project viable.