Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to eligible developers and developer consortiums for the 1,500 MW Khazna Solar PV project in Abu Dhabi.
19 Firms and Partnerships Qualified for the RFP Stage
As a leading company in the integrated coordination of water and electricity in the UAE, EWEC has confirmed the RFP is being sent to bidders who passed the qualification process. This step follows the expression of interest stage held in September of last year.
According to a report from Trade Arabia, 19 firms and partnerships qualified for the RFP stage out of 27 companies and consortiums that submitted Expressions of Interest.
To help businesses and consortiums prepare their responses, the RFP provides comprehensive specifications and suggested technical parameters for the project.
Khazna Solar PV Project is Part of a Bigger Plan
Othman Al Ali, CEO of Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), emphasized that advancing solar PV technology is crucial for reducing carbon emissions in the UAE, given its cost-effectiveness and low carbon footprint compared to other electricity generation methods.
He highlighted the Khazna Solar PV project as the company’s fourth large-scale solar endeavor. This marks a key step in EWEC’s plan to increase its solar PV capacity between 2027 and 2037, aligning with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.
Al Ali expressed eagerness to collaborate with top-tier partners, leveraging their expertise and innovation to build a cleaner and more sustainable energy landscape in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
He continued, “We’re excited to work on this project with world-class partners, bringing our knowledge and creativity together to create the groundwork for a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable energy landscape in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.”
EWEC also stressed the importance of solar energy in achieving its goal of generating nearly 50% of its electricity from renewable and clean sources by 2030, noting its cost-effectiveness and its role in reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
The Project Raises EWEC’s Solar PV Capacity to 5.5GW
Once the Khazna Solar PV project is fully operational, it will join Noor Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra Solar PV, and Al Ajban Solar PV, bringing EWEC’s total installed solar PV capacity to 5.5 gigawatts (GW).
Together, these projects are expected to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 8.2 million metric tons (MT) annually by 2027.
The output from the Al Khazna project alone will power around 160,000 homes throughout the UAE. It is also projected to cut CO2 emissions by over 2.4 million metric tons annually, which is equivalent to removing approximately 470,000 cars from the road.
EWEC stated that the project scope includes the development, financing, construction, operation, maintenance, and ownership of the plant and its associated infrastructure.
EWEC to Share Ownership with the Developer
In a statement, EWEC explained that the successful developer or developer consortium will hold up to 40% ownership in the project, with the Abu Dhabi Government indirectly holding the remaining equity.
As part of the arrangement, the developer will enter into a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with EWEC, which serves as Abu Dhabi’s sole purchaser of power and water.
With a mandate from the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy to achieve clean energy targets, EWEC drives initiatives to diversify the energy mix by deploying renewable energy and low-carbon water desalination capacities.
