Bloomberg reported that Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company known as Masdar plans to complete construction of its second 100 MW solar power plant in the Q3 of 2013 boosting output of green energy in the Arabian Gulf emirate.

As per report, the Abu Dhabi government owned renewable energy company issued a request for qualification information from potential builders of the facility.

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE holds almost all of the country’s oil reserves and is expanding use of solar and wind power in an effort to become a regional hub for renewable energy. The emirate is building Masdar City, a business and residential complex designed to emit minimal carbon emissions and serves as headquarters for the International Renewable Energy Agency.

According to the document, Masdar plans to build the 100 MW photovoltaic Nour 1 plant in the city of Al Ain, on Abu Dhabi’s border with Oman. Construction contracts for Nour 1 are to be awarded in December and the project could become part of a larger solar power complex in Al Ain.

The document said that potential bidders must submit their qualification information by March 17th 2011. Mr Frank Wouters director of Masdar unit called Masdar Power said that the company wants to award construction contracts for the project by the end of this year.

Mr Wouters said that Masdar is already developing USD 600 million, 100 MW concentrated solar thermal plant called Shams 1, to be completed in 2012. Shams 1 is a venture between Masdar, Abengoa SA of Spain and France’s Total SA. The Nour 1 plant will cost less than Shams 1 because of improving efficiency and “the normal learning curve for the industry.

(Sourced from Bloomberg)