Mumbai-based engineering firm Sterling and Wilson has won both the EPC and O&M contract for the world’s single largest solar PV plant – the 1,177MW Noor Abu Dhabi plant in Sweihan.

The company, which is a subsidiary of the Mumbai-based conglomerate Shapoorji Pallonji Group, has already begun construction on the plant, which is spread over 7.8 square km, and is set to be operational in a record 23 months.

The plant is being jointly developed by Japan’s Marubeni and the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA).  ADWEA and the government of Abu Dhabi will own 60% of the plant, with the remaining 40% being held by Marubeni and JinkoSolar, which is providing the modules for the plant. The consortium has successfully bid a tariff of US$2.42 cents/kWh, marking the lowest cost ever for solar power.

Once commissioned, the mammoth plant will provide enough clean energy to power 195,000 homes. It will also be a significant contributor to Abu Dhabi achieving its aim of energy diversification and transition to clean energy resources and low carbon growth.

“We are fully geared and very excited to be a part of this important milestone in the global solar market”, said Bikesh Ogra, president – Renewable Energy, Sterling and Wilson. “The strongest contributor to this tariff is the capital expense driven by lower equipment cost and a highly efficient system design. Our unique design offerings and state-of-the-art robotics optimizes the yield and performance of the plant.”

Sterling and Wilson is the largest EPC contractor in India having held a 9.1% market share in the last fiscal year, according to Bridge to India's Solar Map.