Sharjah Inaugurates First Solar Power Plant ‘SANA’

Sharjah has launched its first solar power plant, SANA, in a significant move towards clean energy. The plant was launched by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and the Chairman of the Sharjah Petroleum Department and SNOC.

SANA is located next to the Sajaa Gas Plant and is made on 850,000 square metres. The plant produces 60 megawatts of clean energy, enough to power approximately 13,800 homes each year. At 60 megawatts of clean energy, a project of this scope is expected to eliminate approximately 66,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

An Idea Becomes a Reality

Sheikh Sultan commented during the launch that the SANA project is a landmark achievement in our efforts towards sustainability. “This project isn’t just about solar panels. It is a testament to our teamwork, the ingenuity of our team, and an organisation dedicated to a cleaner future.”

Smart Design and Advanced Technology

The SANA plant has more than 98,000 solar panels that are in place using 13,000 smart poles that can move with the sun to capture the maximum amount of sunlight possible during the day. When the plant generates more power than it needs, the excess electricity flows into the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority. During the night, SEWA provides backup electricity to SNOC. This exchange is a smart energy exchange system.

A Model for the Region

Abdulaziz Al Obaidli, Chairman of Emerge, the company awarded to manage the project, called SANA “a landmark for the UAE and the region at large,” while thanking all of the engineers and partners involved in making their dream a reality. Emerge will run and maintain the solar plant for the next 25 years.

A Step Toward Net-Zero by 2050

The event concluded with Sheikh Sultan inaugurating the plant and a tour through its operations. He awarded the engineers and the project’s partners for their commitment to the project’s completion. The solar plant represents a key initiative in Sharjah’s overarching target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and in support of the UAE’s national climate commitments.