The Noor Energy 1 hybrid solar project, located in the vast desert 65 kilometers south of Dubai, has become a landmark of China-UAE cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and a global milestone in clean energy.
Since achieving full commercial operation, Noor Energy 1 project, or the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, has generated approximately 6.7 billion kWh of electricity, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 3 million tons.
The project combines Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Photovoltaic (PV) technologies and features a 263-meter central tower surrounded by 70,000 heliostats that reflect and concentrate sunlight toward the receiver, creating a dazzling spectacle of beams across the desert.
Spanning an area equivalent to over 6,000 standard soccer fields, the solar park uses more than 6,000 parabolic trough collectors that track the sun like "silver sunflowers," continuously converting solar energy into clean power for households across Dubai.
Zhao Hui, project manager of the Shanghai Electric Dubai CSP-PV Complex, believes the project is a cornerstone of the UAE’s clean energy push and a global milestone in solar technology.
"For the UAE, it serves as major support for its clean energy strategy. Globally, it represents a milestone in both scale and technological application of solar clean energy," he said.
Beyond advancing Dubai's energy transition, the project has delivered substantial economic and social benefits.
Aman Sharma, electrical manager of the Dubai CSP project, highlighted its role in driving jobs, local innovation, and a new generation of clean energy talent.
"The project has created thousands of jobs, fostered local supply chains, and boosted knowledge transfer in renewable technologies. It also inspired the next generation to pursue a career in clean energy, aligning economic growth and environmental responsibility," he said.
The project aligns with the UAE's 2050 Energy Strategy, which aims to reduce reliance on oil and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, goals that closely match China's carbon peak and neutrality commitments.
"This project exemplifies that vision, through mutual respect and shared goals, we have built a model of cooperation that benefits both nations, advancing sustainability, creating jobs, and driving innovation. It proves that when nations collaborate for the greater goal, everyone wins," said Sharma.
"The successful commissioning of the Dubai CSP project demonstrates the credibility and capability of Chinese enterprises in delivering large-scale, complex clean energy projects on the global stage. We look forward to strengthening cooperation in green energy transformation through the SCO platform, leveraging our equipment and technology to promote sustainable development across the region," Zhao added.
China-built solar park powers Dubai with green energy, boosts UAE's clean transition
