Sharjah Inaugurates First Solar Power Plant 'SANA'

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Photo: Dubai Government Media Office 

On Wednesday, H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, officially opened Sharjah’s first-ever solar power plant named SANA. The solar plant is built near the Sajaa Gas Plant and is spread across a huge area of 850,000 square meters. This new plant can produce 60 megawatts of energy, which is enough to power nearly 13,780 homes each year.

The project was made possible with the help of the Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC), Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA), and Emerge, a company formed by Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) and EDF Group (a French energy company). Emerge will manage the solar plant for the next 25 years.

During the event, His Highness said that this solar power plant is an important step for Sharjah in using clean and renewable energy. He shared that this project is part of the emirate’s plan to protect the environment and focus on sustainable living. He added that working together with others and thinking creatively can help build a better and greener future.

The event began with the UAE national anthem. Then Eng. Khamis Al Mazrouei, CEO of SNOC, spoke proudly about the new SANA plant. He said that the word “SANA” means bright light, and the idea for this plant started eight years ago when a few engineers at SNOC wanted to bring renewable energy projects to Sharjah.

He explained how the journey started back in 2018, with a small solar project at the Hamriyah LNG terminal, which produced 300 kilowatts of power. That small plant was the first step toward the much bigger SANA solar power plant.

Al Mazrouei said that using renewable energy is not just an option anymore – it’s something we must do. SNOC’s goal is to become a trusted energy provider that supports carbon-free energy, uses safe and clean methods, and helps protect the planet for the long term.

He was proud that many of the people who worked on this project are Emirati nationals who graduated from local universities. This shows that the project also supports young local talent and builds skills for the future.

Al Mazrouei thanked the leaders of Sharjah, especially H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, and all others who guided and supported the project. He also thanked the many people and companies who worked together to make this dream come true. He said this is just the beginning of many more clean energy projects to come.

Abdulaziz Al Obaidli, Chairman of Emerge, also spoke at the event. He said the SANA project is a great achievement not just for Sharjah, but for the entire UAE and the region. He thanked the engineers, workers, consultants, and especially Masdar and EDF for helping make the project a success.

He said the plant is more than just a power project—it shows Sharjah’s strong commitment to clean energy and reducing carbon pollution. The project will help improve energy security in the emirate and cut 66,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year. That’s a big step in fighting climate change.

He added that Emerge believes in offering smart and useful clean energy solutions. These will help other companies and areas save money and protect the environment. He said Emerge is proud to be part of this journey and hopes for more future partnerships to build a cleaner world for future generations.

As part of the event, H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed watched a short film about the plant. It showed how the plant was built and the hard work of the engineers and partners.

Fatima Al Hammadi, Project Manager of SANA, gave a speech too. She shared that the whole project started from a simple idea by one person. But with teamwork and support, it became something big and meaningful. She praised everyone involved from different industries like gas, electricity, and clean energy who all worked toward the same goal: a cleaner tomorrow.

His Highness handed out thank-you shields to the partners and posed for group photos. He also took time to meet the young Emirati engineers who helped build the plant. He appreciated their dedication and wished them success in the future.

The ceremony ended with His Highness pressing a button to officially start the solar plant’s operation. Then he toured the plant to see its features. SANA is the biggest solar plant in Sharjah and is unique because it powers oil and gas stations using clean energy. It’s also one of the first plants in the world that can provide energy for itself and even share extra power with others.

The plant uses over 98,000 solar panels and has 13,000 solar trackers that follow the sun’s path during the day. This helps collect more sunlight and produce even more clean energy.

This project proves that with clear vision, strong teamwork, and local talent, Sharjah can lead the way toward a greener and brighter future.