Abu Dhabi has taken a significant step forward in its renewable energy expansion with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for its fourth utility-scale solar facility, the 1,500-megawatt Khazna Solar PV project. According to reports, this formal invitation to bid, issued around April 18, 2024, marks the project’s official move into the development pipeline.
The RFP was distributed to 19 pre-qualified international and local developers and consortiums, which were selected from an initial pool of 27 entities that submitted Expressions of Interest in September of the previous year. The document outlines the detailed technical specifications required for bidders to prepare their proposals for this landmark project.
As a cornerstone of the UAE’s clean energy strategy, the Khazna plant is projected to have a substantial environmental impact. Upon completion, it will generate enough electricity to power approximately 160,000 homes across the nation. Furthermore, it is expected to displace more than 2.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually—an effect comparable to taking nearly 470,000 gasoline-powered vehicles off the road.
Othman Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC, emphasized the project’s strategic importance. “Advancing solar PV technology is crucial for reducing carbon emissions in the UAE,” he stated, highlighting the Khazna Solar PV project as a key component of EWEC’s roadmap to align with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. The company aims for renewables and clean sources to constitute nearly 50% of its electricity generation by 2030.
Once operational, the Khazna facility will join a growing portfolio of large-scale solar projects managed by EWEC, including Noor Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra Solar PV, and Al Ajban Solar PV. Together, these plants will bring EWEC’s total installed solar capacity to 5.5 gigawatts (GW) and are forecast to cut over 8.2 million metric tons of CO2 emissions annually by 2027. The simultaneous development of other major projects, like Al Zarraf, underscores the aggressive pace of the UAE’s energy transition.
The project will be structured as a partnership. The chosen developer or consortium will secure up to 40% ownership in the project company, with the remaining 60% equity held indirectly by the Abu Dhabi Government. The developer will enter into a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with EWEC, the sole procurer of power and water in the emirate. The project’s scope is all-encompassing, covering the development, financing, construction, operation, maintenance, and ownership of the Solar PV plant and all associated infrastructure.
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