Masdar to develop Abu Dhabi’s largest solar photovoltaic rooftop at Warner Bros World

Masdar signed an agreement with Miral to install about 16,000 solar modules on Warner Bros World's 3.6-hectare roof. Courtesy: Masdar

Abu Dhabi’s clean energy company Masdar will develop the emirate’s largest rooftop solar photovoltaic project at Warner Bros World on Yas Island.

As part of the agreement with developer Miral, Masdar will install about 16,000 solar modules on the theme park’s roof, which is 3.6-hectares in size.

The modules will produce about 40 per cent of the theme park's annual energy requirements, the two companies said on Monday.

“We are proud to be supporting Abu Dhabi’s 2030 energy efficiency strategy to reduce overall electricity consumption by 22 per cent and we look forward to leveraging our energy services experience to support Miral’s efforts of implementing energy efficient solutions across its destinations and attractions,” Masdar chief executive Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi said.

The project is expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Once complete, Warner Bros World will become the largest solar-powered theme park in the GCC, the companies said.

“This collaboration is a testament to our commitment of harnessing the most efficient, innovative and sustainable systems across our developments on Yas Island, further positioning it as a top global destination for entertainment, leisure and business,” said Mohamed Abdalla Alzaabi, Miral chief executive.

Renewable energy projects are becoming popular around the world as costs decline due to technological advancements.

About half of the renewable energy capacity added in 2019 was cheaper than that of the least expensive coal plants, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.

Irena's REmap 2030 report on renewable energy prospects for the UAE found that solar PV rooftops could generate about 6 per cent of the country's power by 2030.

Masdar, which is wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company, is a central player in the global renewable energy sector.

The power-generating capacity of renewable energy projects in which Masdar is a partner exceeds 5 gigawatts, representing a combined investment of about $14.3 billion across more than 30 countries.

The company recently acquired stakes in eight projects in the US to expand its footprint in North America.