The Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has obtained approval to develop [1] four new sites in Abu Dhabi, covering approximately 75 square kilometers, for solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy projects. These sites will feature three solar PV plants in Al Faya, Al Khazna, and Al Zarraf, and one wind farm in Sila.
This initiative aims to deliver 4.5 gigawatts (GW) of solar PV capacity and up to 140 megawatts of wind capacity, contributing to EWEC’s goal of achieving 10GW of installed solar PV capacity by 2030 and 18GW by 2035, aligning with the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy’s Clean Energy Strategic Target 2035 and the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.
His Excellency Eng. Ahmed Mohamed Al Rumaithi, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, emphasized the importance of securing land for these projects. He highlighted that this aligns with the regulatory and policy framework needed for a sustainable economic future and supports the deployment of low-carbon energy solutions. Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), highlighted the collaboration’s role in supporting the UAE’s energy transition and environmental sustainability objectives.
Othman Al Ali, CEO of EWEC, said “This is a significant milestone in EWEC’s strategic decarbonization of the UAE’s energy sector. This land will facilitate the accelerated commissioning and development of world-leading renewable projects as we actively contribute to the realization of the country’s sustainability objectives by supplying 60 percent of Abu Dhabi’s power demand from renewable and clean energy sources”. EWEC’s collaboration with partners in the energy and sustainability sectors is crucial for developing and deploying utility-scale renewable and clean energy projects.
These sites were secured through close collaboration with key partners, including the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), Department of Energy (DoE), Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), and the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Over the past year, EWEC has made significant strides in renewable energy development, including the financial closure of its 1.5GW Al Ajban Solar PV Independent Power Project, receiving competitive proposals for the 1.5GW Khazna Solar PV project, and inviting expressions of interest for the 1.5GW Zarraf Solar PV Independent Power Project. Upon completion, Abu Dhabi will be home to five of the world’s largest single-site solar power plants.
Sources:
[1] EWEC Secures Four New Sites for Development of 4.6GW World-Leading Renewable Energy Projects https://www.ewec.ae/en/media/press-release/ewec-secures-four-new-sites-development-46gw-world-leading-renewable-energy
