Sepco3 kicks off construction on the Khazna Solar Project in Abu Dhabi. Shandong Electric Power Construction Corporation No. 3, known as Sepco3, enters the full execution phase of this major 1.5GW solar photovoltaic plant. Located near Al Khazna in the UAE capital, the project promises clean power for thousands of homes.
Project Details
Workers tackle a massive scope at the site. They move 9.6 million cubic meters of earth for groundwork. Teams drive 369,000 support piles into the ground to hold solar panels steady. The site holds 2.8 million photovoltaic modules that capture sunlight and turn it into electricity. Engineers build a 33kV to 400kV substation to step up voltage for the grid. A 400kV ESF switchyard manages power flow, and crews lay 25 kilometers of 33kV overhead lines to connect everything. The plant runs at 1,807MW on the DC side, making it one of Abu Dhabi’s largest solar farms.
Development Partners
Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) picked ENGIE and Masdar as lead developers back in 2024. These firms sign a power purchase agreement to own and run the plant. Sepco3 teams up with Longi Green Energy for the engineering, procurement, and construction work. Longi supplies high-efficiency solar modules. The group hits financial close in January 2026, paving the way for steady progress. Experts aim to finish and switch on the plant by 2028.
Power and Environmental Gains
When complete, the Khazna Solar Project will supply electricity to 160,000 households across the UAE. It slashes carbon emissions by more than 2.4 million tonnes every year. Single-axis trackers tilt nearly three million panels to track the sun, which lifts energy output by 20 to 25 percent. This setup cuts fuel use in fossil plants and adds clean power to the mix. Abu Dhabi residents and factories get a reliable supply as demand grows.
Role in UAE Goals
Abu Dhabi pushes hard for green energy. The emirate targets 50 percent renewables in its power mix by 2030. Projects like Khazna help hit that mark and build toward 18GW of solar by 2035. EWEC diversifies the grid to serve industry and homes better. Sepco3’s experience in big solar jobs ensures smooth work. The Chinese firm brings skills from past Middle East builds. Local firms gain from tech transfer and jobs created on site.
This solar push fits the UAE’s wider clean energy plan. Leaders focus on solar due to the sunny climate. Khazna stands out for its scale and speed. Teams monitor weather and supply chains to stay on track. Once online, it joins other farms to power growth without extra emissions. Sepco3 reports good early progress as of late January 2026.
