Sharjah inaugurates its first solar power plant ‘SANA’, a 60MW renewable energy facility supporting net-zero goals and clean power transition.
Sharjah: His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC), inaugurated ‘SANA’, the emirate’s first solar power plant, located beside the Sajaa Gas Plant. Spanning 850,000 square metres and generating 60 megawatts, SANA represents a landmark step in Sharjah’s clean energy transition.
His Highness praised the project as a cornerstone of the Sharjah Energy Council’s long-term vision to develop sustainable and diversified energy solutions. He highlighted the significance of clean energy not only for Sharjah’s development but also for environmental preservation and global climate goals.
The event began with a speech by Eng. Khamis Al Mazrouei, CEO of SNOC, who recounted the plant’s evolution—from a 300kW pilot solar project in Hamriyah in 2018 to today’s SANA facility. He stressed that the initiative is more than energy generation; it’s a commitment to innovation, Emirati talent, and national climate goals.
The SANA plant utilises 98,000 solar panels mounted on 13,000 sun-tracking poles. It can power around 13,780 homes annually, cutting CO₂ emissions by 66,000 tonnes per year. The smart facility not only supplies SNOC with clean energy but also feeds surplus electricity into the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA) grid during daylight hours.
Abdulaziz Al Obaidli, Chairman of Emerge, the project’s operating partner (a joint venture between Masdar and EDF), described SANA as a symbol of effective public-private collaboration. Emerge will operate and maintain the facility for 25 years, underscoring long-term confidence in Sharjah’s energy potential.
Project Manager Fatima Al Hammadi emphasised the collaborative spirit behind SANA, driven by shared environmental goals and local expertise.
During the inauguration, His Highness toured the facility, met with young Emirati engineers, and honoured key project partners. The event concluded with a symbolic inauguration and group photographs.
With SANA, Sharjah takes a bold step toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, aligning with the UAE’s national sustainability strategy. It is the largest solar plant in the emirate and reflects a future powered by innovation, collaboration, and clean energy.
