An RFP for an independent greenfield 400MW battery energy storage system (BESS) power project in Abu Dhabi has been issued by Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC). Once operational, it aims to provide up to 800MW-hours of storage capacity, EWEC said in a statement.
The RFP is being issued to bidders who passed the qualification process following the Expression of Interest (EOI) stage that took place in April. A total of 93 companies and consortiums are said to have submitted bids, while 27 companies and consortiums qualified for the RFP stage after submitting statements of qualification. The deadline for sending the bids has been set for Q4 2024.
EWEC said that it is deploying BESS to enhance the flexibility and stability of Abu Dhabi’s energy network, allowing for the effective management of peak demand and integration of increasing amounts of renewable energy.
“As we commission the development of the UAE’s next-generation energy infrastructure, the 400MW BESS project marks a key milestone in our strategic efforts to enhance the resilience and efficiency of the power network. Utility-scale BESS technology will facilitate our rapid integration of increased amounts of renewable energy from solar PV to the system and enable us to operate and manage peak demand more efficiently,” said CEO Othman Al Ali.
BESS technology will provide crucial ancillary services such as frequency response and voltage regulation, further reinforcing the security of supply and supporting the utility company to increase its solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity to 7.5GW by 2030, the statement added.
The accelerated growth in renewables will significantly reduce the carbon dioxide intensity of EWEC’s power supply, from 330kg/MWh in 2019 to an estimated 190kg/MWh by 2030.
“Through this strategic project, we are strengthening Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s position as leaders of the global energy transition and accelerating the nation’s Net Zero goals. We look forward to working with best-in-class partners to bring this vision to fruition, further advancing the energy sector into a more sustainable future,” he concluded.