Abu Dhabi's EWEC Issues RFP for 1500 MW Khazna Solar PV Project

Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), a key player in water and electricity supply across the UAE, has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of the 1,500 MW Khazna Solar Photovoltaic (PV) project in Abu Dhabi's Al Khazna area.

The RFP, targeted at qualified developers and consortiums, follows a rigorous selection process initiated with an Expression of Interest (EOI) stage in September 2023. Among the 27 companies and consortiums that submitted EOIs, 19 have qualified for the RFP stage after meeting the stipulated criteria. The RFP provides comprehensive guidelines and technical parameters to aid participants in crafting their submissions.

Othman Al Ali, CEO of EWEC, emphasized the strategic importance of solar PV development in the UAE's journey towards decarbonizing electricity supply. He stated, “The development of solar PV is a strategic pillar in our mission to decarbonise electricity supply in the UAE, given that it is one of the most cost-effective and low-carbon intensive solutions for electricity generation. As our fourth utility-scale solar project, Khazna Solar PV is a significant milestone in our planned development of new solar PV capacity between 2027-2037 to lead the UAE's transition to a sustainable future in alignment with the nation's Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. 

"We look forward to collaborating with best-in-class partners for this project, combining our expertise and innovation to lay the foundation for a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable energy landscape in Abu Dhabi and the UAE,” he added.

Khazna Solar PV holds pivotal importance in EWEC's ambition to generate nearly 50 percent of its electricity from renewable and clean energy sources by 2030. Once operational, alongside existing projects like Noor Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra Solar PV, and Al Ajban Solar PV, Khazna will elevate EWEC's total installed solar PV capacity to 5.5 GW and significantly reduce CO2 emissions by over 8.2 million metric tonnes annually by 2027.

The project is anticipated to power approximately 160,000 homes across the UAE and is projected to curtail CO2 emissions by more than 2.4 million metric tonnes annually, equivalent to removing approximately 470,000 cars from the road.

The Khazna Solar PV project entails the full spectrum of development activities, including financing, construction, operation, maintenance, and ownership of the plant and associated infrastructure. The successful developer or consortium will hold up to 40 percent equity, with the remaining stake indirectly owned by the Abu Dhabi Government.

Under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA), EWEC will serve as the sole buyer of power and water capacity and output in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, paying only for the net electrical energy supplied by the plant.

Responses to the RFP are anticipated in Q3 2024, following which EWEC will conduct a public event to confirm participating companies and consortiums submitting proposals.