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Abu Dhabi moves ahead on new renewable project 

By Pramod Kumar
Solar PV power station Renewable energy capacity Reuters/Oriental Image/Liang xiaopeng
The BESS project is a key part of EWEC’s strategy to achieve Abu Dhabi’s clean energy strategic target 2035

UAE state-owned Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) is seeking expressions of interest for the development of a greenfield 400-megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) project.

The BESS technology aims to diversify EWEC’s energy portfolio, as its total solar photovoltaic power generation capacity will reach 7.5 gigawatts by 2030, the UAE state-run Wam news agency reported.

The BESS project is a key part of EWEC’s strategy to achieve Abu Dhabi’s clean energy strategic target 2035, said CEO Othman Al Ali. 

Compared to traditional grid storage solutions, BESS offers advantages including increased flexibility, scalability, cost-effectiveness and improved efficiency, he added. 

The project will involve developing, financing, construction, operation, maintenance and ownership of the BESS system and associated infrastructure.

The deadline for EoI submissions is March 22. Following a review of the EoIs, EWEC will issue the request for qualifications, which will provide details on the project, pre-qualification criteria and the bidding process.

Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy projects are expected to reduce average carbon dioxide intensity from power generation by 42 percent from 330 kg per megawatt hour (kg/MWh) in 2019 to an estimated 190 kg/MWh by 2030.

Last month, Bruce Smith, strategy and planning executive director at EWEC told AGBI that Abu Dhabi will launch a new solar power project each year for a decade.

In its latest Statement of Future Capacity report, the company said that an average of 1.4 GW of new solar photovoltaic capacity will be needed every year until 2037 to meet the increasing demand for electricity in Abu Dhabi.

EWEC is the single off-taker of water and electricity in the emirate, responsible for procuring sufficient production capacity and fuel to meet water and electricity demands.

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