The National Development Authority announced on Friday the supply, installation, and operation of an integrated solar power system to run pivot irrigation systems in Agricultural Project No. 87 in Umm Al-Dalal, Al-Zighan district, in the municipality of Al-Buwaynis.
According to the Authority’s statement, the shift to solar energy came in light of weak electricity supply in the area. Currently, an area of about 50 hectares is being irrigated using solar power.
The project included the installation of a solar system to operate two groundwater irrigation pumps; one with a capacity of 60 horsepower (HP) and the other 50 HP, in addition to an extra solar power system that supplies the pivot irrigation tower with the necessary electricity for efficient operation.
The total production capacity of the installed solar system amounts to 146.2 kilowatts (kW), which enhances agricultural sustainability, reduces reliance on the public electricity grid, and supports the national strategy to transition toward renewable clean energy sources in strategic development projects, the Authority added.
The Director of Agricultural Projects at the National Development Authority conducted a field visit to the project site to inspect progress and follow up on the operation of the new solar energy system.