EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company) has announced approval for the allocation of four new sites for renewable energy projects in Abu Dhabi. These sites span approximately 75 square km and are designated for the development of advanced solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy facilities.
Furthermore, these four sites will have three new solar PV plants in Al Faya, Al Khazna, and Al Zarraf, along with a wind farm in Sila. These projects are expected to deliver an additional 4.5 GW of solar PV capacity and up to 140 MW of wind capacity for Abu Dhabi. Additionally, the solar PV developments will contribute to EWEC’s goal of achieving 10 GW of installed solar PV capacity by 2030 and 18 GW by 2035.
In November 2024, EWEC received three proposals for the development of its new 1,500 MW Khazna Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Independent Power Project in Abu Dhabi. The bidders include ENGIE, a consortium led by EDF Renewables and Korea Western Power (KOWEPO), and a joint consortium of Jinko Power and JERA. Earlier in April 2024, EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company) selected EDF Renewables and Korea Western Power Company (KOWEPO), along with local partner Masdar, to develop the 1.5 GW Al Ajban Solar PV Independent Power Project.
REGlobal’s Views: The UAE, which has largely been dependent on fossil fuels for its energy needs, is now focusing significantly on increasing the share of clean power in its energy mix and reducing its dependency on oil. EWEC aims to meet more than 50 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s power requirements from renewable energy sources as UAE aims to reach net zero target by 2050. New large projects like Al Faya, Al Khazna, and Al Zarraf will help Abu Dhabi to reach its targets in time.
