SNOC, Emerge to develop largest solar plant in Sharjah

The 60 MWp solar plant is expected to start operations by end-2024.

United Arab Emirate's Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC), the executive oil and gas entity of Sharjah, and Emerge, the joint venture between Masdar and EDF Group, finalised a Solar Power Agreement, a partnership covering the development of the largest solar plant in the emirate.

The estimated capacity of the solar plant will be 60 MWp, under a build-own-operate-transfer basis for 25 years. 

Specifics of the partnership involved the development of solar PV solutions for the Sajaa Gas Complex, which is directly linked to SNOC’s power supply and main power grid. Excess solar power will also be distributed to Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA), which will assist in SNOC’s operations at night. 

The Solar Power Project is expected to start operations by the end of 2024.

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The agreement is in line with SNOC's decarbonisation and net-zero emissions by 2032, and UAE’s Net-Zero by 2050 initiative. It will also support the current power demand, converting SNOC’s gas-powered units to electrical drives and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the future.

 “SNOC will implement this project alongside its other planned initiatives, including carbon capture and storage, elimination of methane leaks and flaring, and optimizing operational efficiencies. It will contribute to the reduction of CO2 by approximately 66,000 tons per annum, equivalent to taking more than 14,600 cars off the road,” Hatem Al Mosa, CEO of SNOC, stated.