The United Arab Emirates and Egypt will develop one of the world's largest wind farms as part of a deal made during the sidelines of the UN's COP27 climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
The 10-gigawatt (GW) onshore wind project in Egypt will produce 47,790 GWh of clean energy annually once it is operational.
The wind farms will offset 23.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, approximately 9% of Egypt's current CO2 output. The project is estimated to save Egypt about $5 billion in annual natural gas costs and help create as many as 100,000 jobs.
The project will be part of Egypt’s Green Corridor initiative – a grid dedicated to renewable energy projects – and will contribute to Egypt’s goal of ensuring renewable energy makes up 42% of its energy mix by 2035. Also read: US, UAE Forge $100 Billion Clean Energy Collaboration
During the signing ceremony, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi witnessed the agreement between the UAE's Masdar renewable energy firm and Egypt's Infinity Power and Hassan Allam Utilities.
The UN's COP27 climate summit started on Sunday in Egypt with warnings against backsliding on efforts to cut emissions and calls for rich nations to compensate poor countries after a year of extreme weather disasters.
"We will endeavour to take forward the gains made here at COP27, as the UAE prepares to host COP28 next year," UAE industry minister Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said.
Currently, the Gansu Wind Farm in China is the largest wind farm in the world, with a target capacity of 20,000 MW.
COP28 will be held in the UAE from November 6-17, 2023. Also read: External Circumstances Should Not Affect Negotiation, Says New COP27 President
Upcoming Wind Farm Projects
China is set to build a 43.3 gigawatt facility in the Taiwan Strait in the Guangdong province. Operating between 75 and 185 kilometers off the coast of Chiuna, the new offshore wind farm will be 10 kilometers long and feature thousands of powerful turbines. The turbines will be able to generate electricity between 43 and 49% of the time. The project is set to start before 2025.
Also read: Gap in Global Collaboration Can Delay Green Transition by Decades, Notes IEA
Also read:The Need for Expanding Clean Energy Technology Supply Chains
