"Emirates Water and Electricity" Announces the winning consortium to develop the 1.5 GW Al Ajban Solar Power Plant project.
Abu Dhabi, April 26 / WAM / Emirates Water and Electricity Company, the leader in the field of integrated coordination of planning, procurement and supply of water and electricity in the Emirates, announced the awarding of the Al Ajban solar photovoltaic power station project with a capacity of 1.5 gigawatts (AC) to an international consortium that includes EDF. Renewable Energy – EDF, Korea Western Power – KOWEPO, and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company “Masdar” as a local shareholder.
After awarding the project, Emirates Water and Electricity Company signed a power purchase agreement with the partners.
The signing of the agreement, which took place on the sidelines of the World Future Energy Summit, was witnessed by His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Chairman of the “COP28” Conference, Chairman of the Board of Directors of “Masdar” Company, Hamad Al Hammadi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Water and Electricity Company, and Luke Raymond, Chairman and CEO of EDF Group.
The agreement was signed by Othman Al Ali, CEO of Emirates Water and Electricity Company, Mohammed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, Beatrice Buffon, Vice President of the International Division and CEO of EDF Renewable Energy, and Park Hyung Dak, CEO of EDF. “Korea Western Power”.
The Emirates Water and Electricity Company awarded the Al Ajban solar photovoltaic station after completing the procedures for signing the power purchase agreement. The power purchase agreement was designed so that the Emirates Water and Electricity Company pays only for the net electrical energy produced by the station.
Under the terms of the PPA, the winning consortium will design, finance, build and operate the plant, which will be located in the Al Ajban area, 70 km northeast of Abu Dhabi. Once the Al Ajban Solar PV Plant begins full operations, scheduled for the third quarter of 2026, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi will become home to the four largest independent solar power plants in the world, three of which are located in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The new station will produce enough electricity to supply 160,000 homes across the country, and the station is expected to contribute to reducing more than 2.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in Abu Dhabi annually.
On this occasion, His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Chairman of the “COP28” Conference, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of “Masdar” Company, said: “In line with the leadership’s directives to support sustainable economic development and spread renewable energy solutions, the development of the Al Ajban power plant project comes Solar photovoltaic energy will contribute to achieving significant and tangible progress in increasing reliance on clean energy sources and contributing to global efforts to achieve an orderly, responsible, fair and equitable transition in the energy sector in line with the historic “UAE Agreement” reached during COP28.”
His Excellency added, “We are proud that with the completion of this project, the UAE will include the four largest independent solar energy plants in the world, which confirms the country’s leadership and its ability to implement its ambitious goals and contribute to achieving the global ambition to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, and maintain the possibility of achieving the goal.” Avoiding global warming exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius.
For his part, Hamad Al Hammadi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Water and Electricity Company, said: “This agreement represents the success of the process of renewable energy projects in the Emirates, which reflects the country’s commitment to working to accelerate achieving climate neutrality in the energy sector. We are proud of our role in supporting this ambition by adopting renewable energy technologies.” Modern projects, including solar photovoltaic projects, help promote global sustainability initiatives and achieve the goals agreed upon at COP28.”
Luc Reymont, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of EDF Group, said: “We are grateful for the spirit of cooperation shown by the Emirates Water and Electricity Company in completing the Al Ajban solar photovoltaic power station project. EDF Group is proud to work jointly with its partners Masdar and Korea Western Power Company, to contribute to addressing… climate change, and effectively support Middle Eastern countries in their energy transition plans, by providing low-carbon solutions, including renewable energy solutions, which are at the heart of EDF’s work to achieve climate neutrality.”
Othman Juma Al Ali, CEO of Emirates Water and Electricity Company, said: “The Al Ajban solar photovoltaic project is the third leading solar energy project in the world for Emirates Water and Electricity Company, and it reflects the great efforts made by the company to achieve a flexible and sustainable future for the UAE, in a way that reflects the strategic aspirations.” On decarbonizing the energy sector and enhancing energy security in the long term.”
He added, “The Emirates Water and Electricity Company has set a global standard for utility-scale renewable energy projects, which contributes to accelerating the energy transition plan and achieving sustainability goals. We look beyond direct returns, as the company’s advanced technical and economic analysis demonstrates the vital role that solar energy plays in meeting… The current and future demand for energy in Abu Dhabi and the country, and we hope that this strategic partnership will contribute to enhancing ways of close cooperation during this transitional journey.”
Mohammed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), said: “This long-term partnership between Masdar, Emirates Water and Electricity Company, and EDF aims to enhance efforts aimed at spreading clean energy solutions in the Emirates. And to enhance the country’s leading position.” Global adoption of solar energy technologies, as the Al-Ajban solar photovoltaic project is scheduled to become a world-class project when it enters commercial operation, to contribute mainly to supporting the country’s strategic initiative to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, and to promote global trends to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 stipulated in the “UAE Agreement”.
Park Hyung-dak, CEO of Korea Western Power (KOWEPO), said: “At Korea Western Power, we are proud to lead the transition to carbon-free energy in partnership with Masdar and EDF Renewable Energy, and this cooperation in the Al-Ajban solar photovoltaic project confirms our commitment.” Al Tamm plays a major role in shaping a clean and more sustainable future for future generations.”
He added, “By developing innovative and sustainable energy solutions, we contribute to protecting the environment and paving the way for future energy supplies.”
It is worth noting that renewable energy plays a major role in Abu Dhabi’s energy transition and sustainability strategy, by contributing to achieving the ambitious goals of the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, and the country’s strategic initiative to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
The financial closure of the project is expected to be achieved by the third quarter of 2024. Emirates Water and Electricity Company is looking forward to meeting more than 50% of the electricity demand in Abu Dhabi through renewable and clean energy sources by 2030, as the company recommended in its latest reports the addition of about 1.4 gigawatts of energy. New solar PV annually over the years 2027-2037.
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