The world's largest solar energy farm opens in the United Arab Emirates. With 3,2 million panels, Noor Abu Dhabi can produce up to 1,18 gigawatts.

The largest solar energy farm in the world was inaugurated on June 29th by the United Arab Emirates Water and Energy Company, Noor Abu Dhabi. With 3,2 million panels and the capacity to produce 1,18 gigawatts, the project is capable of sustaining the energy needs of up to 90.000 people. The initiative comes as an alternative to reduce CO2 emissions in the country, which, despite being the 8th place in world oil production and intending to stabilize exploration, still depends heavily on fossil fuel.

The new farm represents a cut of 1 million tons of CO2, the equivalent of taking 200.000 cars off the road, according to the state-owned company. But, despite being a big step towards sustainable energy, the country's focus should not leave oil. In March, the country's monthly production reached 3.043 million barrels, and, according to the Minister of Energy, Suhail Al Mazroui, exploration could increase to 3.500 million if necessary. “We need to meet the necessary requirements for our oil, and make sure that it is not used just for storage,” said the minister.

The world's largest single solar plant, Noor Abu Dhabi, with a production capacity of nearly 1,177 MW commences commercial operation – a major milestone for the future of #sustainableenergy pic.twitter.com/HHVMyaMXYY

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) June 29, 2019

The reduction initiative came from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which intends to reduce the supply available on the world market to increase the price of crude oil, due to the weakening of the world economy and excessive production of the commodity by the USA. The continuity of this reduction will be decided today, the first day, during a meeting in Vienna; Russian President Vladimir Putin's intentions to continue the policy were already revealed during the G20 in Osaka last month, but Iran's vote is still needed.

It seems that the title of the largest solar energy farm in the world will not last long: the Water and Energy Company of the United Arab Emirates has plans to build the Mohammed Bin Rashid park, which will produce 2 gigawatts and should be inaugurated in 2020.

Furnas announced this Monday, July 1st, the construction of its first solar power plants for electrical support!