The carbon-capture-ready project will primarily provide transitional capacity to support the integration of renewable energy projects and to provide additional flexibility
EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company), a leading company in the integrated coordination of planning, purchasing and supply of water and electricity across the UAE, today issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of the Taweelah C Independent Power Producer (IPP) project, a new carbon-capture-ready Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) plant located in the Al Taweelah Power and Desalination Complex, approximately 50 kilometres to the North East of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
As EWEC continues to drive the decarbonisation of electricity and water supply in the UAE, powering the country’s net zero transition, flexible, high-efficiency gas-fired plants will be crucial for ensuring energy security whilst the country’s energy sector transforms into a clean and renewable-focused industry. Taweelah C will primarily provide transitional capacity to support the integration of large-scale renewable energy and provide additional flexibility during periods of peak power demand.
Othman Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC, said: “EWEC’s strategic planning and deployment of new technologies are catalysing a significant shift, navigating us towards a diversified and sustainable energy mix. As we lead this transformation, natural gas will be a key transition fuel to enable us to meet Abu Dhabi’s 2035 decarbonisation targets as we continue to successfully onboard new renewable capacity. Taweelah C’s efficient and carbon-capture-ready technology has an important role to play in enhancing the flexibility of our generation system and ensuring energy security. We look forward to receiving proposals from qualified companies and consortiums as we move forward with this project.”
The Taweelah C project will closely follow the model of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s successful Independent Power Producer (IPP) programme, where developers enter into a long-term agreement with EWEC as the sole procurer. It will involve the development, financing, construction, operation, maintenance, and ownership of the plant, with the successful developer or developer consortium owning up to 40 per cent of the entity. The remaining equity will be held indirectly by the Abu Dhabi Government.
Expected to begin commercial operations in Q3 2028, Taweelah C’s efficient natural gas turbine technology will generate up to 2.5 gigawatts (AC). The RFP shared with bidders provides comprehensive requirements and proposed technical parameters of the project to help firms and consortiums develop their proposals. Responses to the RFP are expected in Q4 2024.
About Emirates Water and Electricity Company
EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company) is the sole procurer and supplier of water and electricity in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. EWEC drives the planning, forecasting, purchasing, and despatch of water and electricity. EWEC fulfils these vital responsibilities through the short-term and long-term balancing of bulk supply and demand for distribution companies and authorities in Abu Dhabi and other Emirates. EWEC is supporting the government of Abu Dhabi and the government of the UAE by enabling the reduction of cost whilst also providing the increased security of supply that comes from a cleaner, larger, and more integrated system.
EWEC is mandated to implement strategic initiatives that will achieve the 60 per cent clean energy target outlined in the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy’s (DoE) Clean Energy Strategic Target 2035 for Electricity Production in Abu Dhabi, in addition to enabling the achievement of UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, UAE Energy Strategy by 2050, and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. EWEC is accelerating Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s energy transition by diversifying the country’s energy mix through developing and deploying renewable and clean energy as well as low-carbon intensive water desalination capacities. EWEC is part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies with a broad portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy. For more information, please visit www.ewec.ae.