Ewec secures four new sites for 4.6GW renewable energy projects
ABU DHABI, 2 days ago
Emirates Water and Electricity Company (Ewec) has announced that it has obtained approval to allocate four new sites covering an area of approximately 75 sq km of land to be turned into world-leading solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy developments.
Ewec is a leading company in the integrated planning, purchasing, supply, and system despatch services of water and electricity across the UAE.
Representing a major milestone in the acceleration of renewable energy deployment in the UAE, the landmark projects are set to deliver 4.5 gigawatts (GW) (AC) of additional solar PV capacity and up to 140 MW of new wind capacity to Abu Dhabi.
Spanning four sites within Abu Dhabi, the land will feature three new solar PV plants located in Al Faya, Al Khazna, and Al Zarraf, and one new wind farm in Sila.
According to Ewec, the solar PV projects will support its delivery of 10GW of installed solar PV capacity by 2030 and 18GW by 2035, thus contributing to collective efforts to achieve the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy’s (DoE) Clean Energy Strategic Target 2035 for electricity production in Abu Dhabi and UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.
Engineer Ahmed Mohamed Al Rumaithi, the Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, said: "Securing land for Ewec to accelerate the development of new world-leading renewable energy projects in Abu Dhabi is not just a step forward in our energy journey, but it also aligns with the DoE’s regulatory and policy framework, which is pivotal for achieving a sustainable economic future."
"As the authority overseeing the energy sector, the DoE's strategic commitment is key to reaching our Clean Energy Strategic Targets 2035 and decarbonising the energy sector. Collaborating with our partners ensures the deployment of more transformative and resilient low-carbon energy solutions, reducing carbon emissions and advancing the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative objectives," he stated.
Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), said: "We are delighted to be closely collaborating with EWEC and key partners in securing land for new renewable energy projects that will play a crucial role in supporting the UAE’s energy transition and environmental sustainability objectives."
"This collaboration ensures that the developed energy infrastructure is coexisting harmoniously with the natural ecosystem, and this achievement is a testament to EAD’s pivotal role in overseeing land and environmental management, reinforcing our commitment to our Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy and sustainability initiatives," he stated.
"By integrating these efforts, we are contributing to the realisation of the UAE’s carbon neutrality objectives by 2050," he added.
Ewec CEO Othman Al Ali said this was a significant milestone in its strategic decarbonisation 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 realisation of the country’s sustainability objectives by supplying 60% of Abu Dhabi’s power demand from renewable and clean energy sources," he stated.
The role of Ewec's partners - Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Ministry of Defence, has been vital.
Over the past year, Ewec has led the achievement of several significant milestones in the development of world-leading renewable energy projects in the UAE.
Ewec has announced the financial close of its 1.5GW (AC) Al Ajban Solar PV Independent Power Project, received three competitive proposals for the development of the 1.5GW Khazna Solar PV project, and invited expressions of interest for its 1.5GW Zarraf Solar PV Independent Power Project.
Once these plants are commercially operational, Abu Dhabi will be home to five of the world’s largest single-site solar power plants.
"At Ewec, we continue to collaborate with our partners across the energy and sustainability ecosystem to drive the development and deployment of utility-scale renewable and clean energy projects," he stated.
"These four sites were identified and secured through Ewec’s close collaboration with key partners, united by the shared goals of decarbonising the UAE’s energy production and combatting climate change," he added. -TradeArabia News Service
