EWEC invites EoIs for 1,500MW Al Ajban Solar PV project
Project will generate enough electricity for approximately 160,000 homes and will reduce CO2 emissions by an estimated 2.4mn metric tonnes
Developer/developer consortiums have been asked to submit expressions of interest (EoIs) for a new solar photovoltaic (PV) independent power project in the Ajban area of Abu Dhabi by Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC).
In its statement EWEC noted that the Al Ajban Solar PV is the third world leading large-scale utility solar PV project it is developing, following the successful closing of Noor Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra Solar PV.
A greenfield solar PV plant with a capacity of 1,500MW, the Al Ajban facility is fundamentally important to the energy transition and sustainability strategy of Abu Dhabi. It will play a pivotal role in successfully achieving the sustainability and energy diversification objectives of UAE Energy Strategy 2050, and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative through the use of renewable and clean energy, said the statement.
The project will generate enough electricity for approximately 160,000 homes across the UAE and, once commercially operational, it is expected to reduce Abu Dhabi’s CO2 emissions by more than 2.4mn metric tonnes per year, it added.
“EWEC is at the forefront of developing world leading solar power projects. Our strategic investments in solar power have seen us develop Noor Abu Dhabi, the current world’s largest single-site solar power plant, and Al Dhafra Solar PV, which will be the new world’s largest single-site solar power plant once commercially operational,” said CEO Othman Al Ali.
He added, “With Al Ajban Solar PV, which will be similar in size and capacity output to Al Dhafra Solar PV, Abu Dhabi and the UAE will have the three largest, world leading solar power plants, increasing the diversification of our energy production portfolio, and significantly advancing decarbonisation of the energy sector. We are delighted to invite expressions of interest from developer or developer consortiums for the Al Ajban Solar PV project.”
The project includes the development, financing, construction, operation, maintenance and ownership of the plant, and associated infrastructure. The successful developer/veloper consortium will own up to 40% of the entity, while the remaining equity will be held indirectly by the Abu Dhabi government, the statement explained.
The winning developer will enter into a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with EWEC, the single buyer of power and water capacity and output in Abu Dhabi. The PPA will be structured as an energy purchase agreement whereby EWEC will pay only for the net electrical energy supplied by the plant, the statement noted.
EWEC has set May 27 as the deadline for submitting the EoIs. Following the review of the bids, the utility company will issue the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to proceed to the next stage, the statement concluded.
