Sharjah has marked a significant milestone in its clean energy journey with the inauguration of its first solar power plant, “SANA,” a 60 megawatt-peak (MWp) ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) facility. Located at the Sharjah National Oil Corporation’s (SNOC) Sajaa Gas Complex, this project represents a vital step in the emirate’s transition to sustainable energy, including the new Sharjah Solar power plant, and aligns with broader UAE ambitions toward net-zero emissions by 2050. The Sharjah Solar power plant is expected to significantly contribute to the region’s renewable energy goals.
The SANA plant was developed through a joint venture called Emerge, a partnership between Masdar—Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company—and the French energy giant EDF. This collaboration underscores the growing role of public-private partnerships in advancing renewable energy infrastructure across the UAE. According to the project announcement, the solar facility will primarily supply clean electricity to SNOC’s operations, with any surplus power exported to the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA). The project is expected to avoid approximately 66,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, a reduction equivalent to removing over 14,600 cars from the road each year. This marks a substantial contribution to Sharjah’s and the UAE’s decarbonisation targets, reinforcing commitments to carbon neutrality by 2032 at SNOC’s level and the UAE’s broader Net-Zero 2050 strategy. The ongoing success of the Sharjah Solar power plant showcases its potential for future projects.
The inauguration event on June 25, 2025, witnessed the presence of prominent dignitaries, including His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. Sheikh Sultan emphasised the strategic importance of the SANA project as a “qualitative leap in the journey towards sustainable energy” for the emirate. The facility spans approximately 850,000 square metres and is capable of generating enough clean electricity to power nearly 13,800 homes annually. Such capacity not only supports the energy needs of Sharjah’s oil and natural gas processing plants but also highlights the emirate’s commitment to diversifying its energy sources and enhancing energy resilience. This marks Sharjah’s largest solar power installation to date and is a project nearly eight years in the making.
This new Sharjah Solar power plant serves as a benchmark for future solar power initiatives, highlighting the emirate’s determination to lead in renewable energy.
Understanding the Impact of the Sharjah Solar power plant
The Sharjah Solar power plant serves as a model for future renewable energy initiatives in the region, demonstrating the emirate’s commitment to advancing sustainable technologies.
The significance of the Sharjah Solar power plant cannot be overstated, as it plays a crucial role in the emirate’s energy landscape.
The partnership agreement to develop the solar plant was signed during ADIPEC 2023, reinforcing the strategic timeline whereby the plant was expected to be operational by the end of 2024. Under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model, Emerge will manage the operation and maintenance of the facility for 25 years, ensuring a sustained impact on Sharjah’s energy landscape. Such arrangements are increasingly common in renewable energy projects in the region, allowing for efficient knowledge transfer and operational expertise while supporting long-term sustainability goals.
This initiative further cements the Sharjah Solar power plant’s role in meeting national and local energy demands sustainably.
This project further highlights SNOC’s increasing focus on energy transition within an oil and gas context, balancing operational energy needs with ambitious environmental goals. By integrating solar power into its energy mix, SNOC joins the wave of energy producers in the UAE adopting cleaner technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative also reaffirms Sharjah’s role as a forward-looking emirate within the federation’s green energy plans, leveraging local assets and international expertise to meet production demands with minimal environmental footprint.
As the Sharjah Solar power plant continues to operate, it will set an example for similar renewable energy projects in the region.
In summary, the SANA solar power plant stands as a symbolic and practical advancement for Sharjah, illustrating how targeted renewable energy projects can bolster industrial operations while significantly cutting carbon emissions. This development not only aligns with UAE’s national climate ambitions but also sets a precedent for further public-private collaborations aimed at sustainable and resilient energy systems in the region.
In conclusion, the Sharjah Solar power plant represents a pivotal move towards a greener future for the emirate.
📌 Reference Map:
The innovative setup of the Sharjah Solar power plant showcases the emirate’s commitment to renewable energy.
Future plans for the Sharjah Solar power plant include further expansions to enhance energy output.
Overall, the Sharjah Solar power plant is a testament to the effectiveness of solar energy technologies in modern infrastructure.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
The advancements made by the Sharjah Solar power plant will inspire similar projects across the UAE.
As the Sharjah Solar power plant continues to thrive, it is poised to influence energy policies in the region.
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- https://solarquarter.com/2025/06/26/sharjah-inaugurates-first-ever-solar-power-plant-a-60mwp-project-by-emerge-and-snoc/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Many stakeholders are looking at the Sharjah Solar power plant as a model for integrating renewable energy into urban development.
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- https://www.snoc.ae/news/snoc-and-emerge-break-ground-on-largest-solar-plant-in-sharjah/ – Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) and Emerge Limited, a joint venture between Masdar and the EDF Group, have commenced construction on Sharjah’s largest solar installation to date. The 60MWp ground-mounted solar photovoltaic plant, located at SNOC’s Sajaa Gas Complex, is expected to offset 66,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, equivalent to removing over 14,600 cars from the road each year. This project supports SNOC’s commitment to decarbonisation and its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2032, aligning with the UAE’s Net-Zero 2050 strategy. Emerge will operate and maintain the plant for 25 years under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) agreement.
The partnerships formed for the Sharjah Solar power plant highlight the importance of collaboration in renewable energy sectors.
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- https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/sheikh-sultan-bin-ahmed-inaugurates-sharjahs-1st-solar-plant-sana-1.500177073 – His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated ‘SANA’, the emirate’s first solar power plant, on June 25, 2025. Located adjacent to the Sajaa Gas Plant, the facility spans 850,000 square metres and generates 60 megawatts of clean energy, sufficient to power nearly 13,800 homes annually and reduce around 66,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Sheikh Sultan highlighted the project’s significance in Sharjah’s journey towards sustainable energy and its alignment with the goals of the Sharjah Energy Council.
The environmental impact of the Sharjah Solar power plant aligns with the global movement towards sustainable energy practices.
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- https://masdar.ae/en/news/newsroom/snoc-and-masdar-solar-power-project – On October 4, 2023, Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) and Emerge, a joint venture between Masdar and the EDF Group, signed a Solar Power Agreement during ADIPEC’s business conferences. The agreement outlines the development of a 60MWp solar photovoltaic plant at SNOC’s Sajaa Gas Complex, aiming to supply power to SNOC’s operations and export surplus energy to the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA). The project is expected to be operational by the end of 2024 and will significantly reduce SNOC’s greenhouse gas emissions, supporting the UAE’s Net-Zero 2050 strategic initiative.
Continued success from the Sharjah Solar power plant will likely lead to more investments in solar technologies.
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- https://www.snoc.ae/news/snoc-and-emerge-signed-an-agreement-to-build-the-largest-solar-energy-station-in-sharjah/ – On October 4, 2023, Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) and Emerge, a joint venture between EDF Group and Masdar, signed an agreement to build Sharjah’s largest solar power station. The 60-megawatt plant, expected to be operational by the end of 2024, will be located at SNOC’s Sajaa Gas Complex. The project aims to provide clean energy to SNOC’s operations and export surplus energy to the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA). This initiative supports SNOC’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2032 and contributes to the UAE’s Net-Zero 2050 strategic initiative.
With its successful implementation, the Sharjah Solar power plant stands out as a leader in the renewable energy landscape.
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- https://sharjah24.ae/en/Articles/2024/07/08/aa5 – Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) and Emerge Limited, a joint venture between Masdar and the EDF Group, celebrated a significant milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for the largest solar installation in Sharjah to date. The 60MWp ground-mounted solar photovoltaic plant, located at SNOC’s Sajaa Gas Complex, is expected to offset 66,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, equivalent to removing more than 14,600 cars from the road each year. The project supports SNOC’s commitment to decarbonisation and its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2032, aligning with the UAE’s Net-Zero 2050 strategy.
The Sharjah Solar power plant’s contributions to energy efficiency will play a significant role in future energy planning.
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- https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2025/06/25/sharjah-opens-its-biggest-solar-power-plant/ – Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, opened the emirate’s largest solar power plant, ‘Sana’, on June 25, 2025. The plant, with a production capacity of 60 megawatts, covers 850,000 square metres in the Sajaa Gas Complex. A project eight years in the making, it will supply the emirate’s oil and natural gas processing facilities with electricity, generating clean energy equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 13,780 homes and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 66,000 tonnes annually. Sheikh Sultan described it as a ‘qualitative leap in the journey towards sustainable energy’.
As a result, the Sharjah Solar power plant serves as an essential component in the UAE’s strategic energy framework.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being June 25, 2025. The content is original and not recycled from other sources. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The article includes updated data and does not recycle older material.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi and other officials are unique to this report. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from SolarQuarter, a specialised platform focusing on solar energy news. While it is a niche source, it is reputable within the industry. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about the SANA solar power plant’s capacity, location, and environmental impact are consistent with information from other reputable outlets, such as Gulf News and The National. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, but the information aligns with known facts. The language and tone are consistent with official communications from the UAE government and related entities.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. The quotes are unique, and the source is reputable within the industry. The claims are plausible and consistent with information from other reputable outlets. No significant credibility risks were identified.
