Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, has delivered two UAE-funded solar projects in two Pacific island nations, reported Trade Arabia.

The installations on the islands, Tuvalu and Kiribati, will collectively reduce 1,200 tonnes of CO₂ emissions while saving $545,000 in fossil fuel costs annually.

The plant located on Funafuti atoll in Tuvalu was funded by the $50 m UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund through the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.

The other is a 500 kW solar PV and water protection plant located on the Tarawa atoll of the Republic of Kiribati.

According to The National the two major solar projects that will provide electricity to more than 1,600 homes on the two islands.

Masdar is the renewable energy arm of the Abu Dhabi government’s strategic investment company, Mubadala Development, and was given the job of constructing these projects in 2013 when UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs set up the UAE-Pacific fund.

“These two projects not only demonstrate the UAE and Masdar’s commitment to helping Pacific island nations deploy sustainable renewable energy solutions, which play a vital role in driving forward the social and economic development for the people of Tuvalu and Kiribati,” said the Masdar chief executive Ahmad Belhoul.

“But clearly, and equally important, they also highlight the ongoing work we are doing to combat climate change through our renewable energy projects”, he added.