ABB’s advanced technology is enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the Al Dhafra PV2 solar plant in Abu Dhabi, the world’s largest single-site solar facility. This plant is crucial to the UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to significantly increase renewable energy use.

The Al Dhafra PV2 facility spans 20 square kilometers in the Al Dhafra region, approximately 30 km south of Abu Dhabi. It boasts a 2 GW capacity with four million solar modules, generating enough electricity to power 200,000 homes annually and reducing CO2 emissions by 2.4 million metric tons per year—equivalent to removing around 470,000 cars from the roads.

ABB was selected by China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor for the plant, to provide automation and optimization solutions. This project is a cornerstone of the UAE’s Energy Strategy, which aims to triple the share of renewables by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that global solar PV manufacturing capacity will double to nearly 1,000 GW by 2024, supporting the goal of net zero by 2050.

ABB utilizes its Ability™ Symphony Plus distributed control system to optimize plant operations, integrating data from various sources into a single, user-friendly interface. This real-time data access helps operators enhance efficiency, minimize risks, and optimize production. ABB also supplies digital, electrical, and telecommunications solutions, including metering and solar process modeling, to further boost operational excellence.

“ABB’s early collaboration and commitment were key in developing a system architecture that met our needs,” said Ali Albeshr, Executive Managing Director of Al Dhafra Solar PV. “We are confident in ABB’s technology to support Al Dhafra’s future operations.”

This project marks ABB’s first solar initiative in the UAE and demonstrates its commitment to expanding automation and digital solutions in the region’s growing renewable energy sector.

“The UAE aims to achieve 14 GW of clean energy by 2030, and Al Dhafra PV2 will play a significant role in reaching this goal,” said Brandon Spencer, President of ABB Energy Industries. “ABB is dedicated to fostering a low-carbon future through our automation, electrification, and digital solutions. We are honored to contribute to the UAE’s clean energy transition.”

Al Dhafra PV2 Solar project in Abu Dhabi sunset

ABB is committed to supporting Emiratization and knowledge transfer efforts, promoting economic diversification through strategic regional projects and partnerships.

ABB’s Process Automation division focuses on automating, electrifying, and digitalizing industrial processes, addressing critical needs such as energy, water, and material supply, as well as goods production and distribution. With approximately 20,000 employees and leading technology, ABB Process Automation enhances performance and safety across various industries, supporting a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. For more information, visit go.abb/processautomation.

As a technology leader in electrification and automation, ABB combines engineering expertise with software to optimize manufacturing, movement, power, and operations. With over 140 years of experience and more than 105,000 employees, ABB drives innovations that accelerate industrial transformation.

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