Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy postpones announcement of winning bid for 1.5GW solar plant
Chairman of Department of Energy says decision made in light of rules barring large group meetings
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy has postponed the announcement of the winning bid for a 1.5GW solar plant to be developed in the Al Dhafra region, in light of the rules barring large group meetings due to the COVID-19 global outbreak, the ministry’s top official has said.
Of In a statement, Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, said that energy has always been a critical component of Abu Dhabi’s socio-economic development and the quality of life, health and well-being of its people.
“We are also monitoring the impact of the current situation on global economies, energy prices be it oil or renewable energy sources, and the availability of imported products and equipment essential to continuing our solar and nuclear projects,” he said.
“The department of energy will continue to ensure continued supply of safe, reliable water, wastewater and electricity services,” he stated, adding that Abu Dhabi has 75TWh power production capacity with over 9,000 km of combined overhead and underground transmission lines and more than 70,000 km of distribution lines.
Al Marar also pointed out that Abu Dhabi had developed a highly efficient and sustainable energy system over the past few decades, which today, boasts one of the largest network infrastructures in the region with enormous generation, transmission and distribution capacity.”
“In the water sector too, we have great capacity and infrastructure to ensure security of supply,” he added
