The Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (Taqa) and Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) have unveiled new energy infrastructure projects aimed at advancing the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 initiative.
The collaboration includes a 24-year power purchase agreement (PPA) signed by Taqa with EWEC to develop, own, and operate the 1-gigawatt (GW) Al Dhafra open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT) project. Taqa will maintain full ownership and oversee the operation and maintenance of the facility, which will enhance power reliability while maintaining a low-carbon footprint.
Additionally, Taqa Transmission, a subsidiary of Taqa Group, will develop advanced power grid infrastructure to integrate new energy sources efficiently. These projects align with a groundbreaking initiative by EWEC and Masdar to enable round-the-clock renewable energy dispatch. The initiative will create the world’s largest combined solar and battery energy storage system (BESS), delivering up to 1GW of renewable baseload power daily.
The partnership between EWEC, Taqa, and Masdar will drive an estimated Dh36 billion investment into Abu Dhabi’s energy infrastructure. Approximately 75% of this investment will be directed toward renewable and conventional power generation, while the remaining 25% will go toward grid infrastructure, which will be integrated into the regulated asset base to ensure sustainable returns.
Jasim Thabet, Group CEO and Managing Director of Taqa and Vice Chairman of Masdar, highlighted the company’s commitment to low-carbon energy solutions. “Providing reliable low-carbon power plays an important role in enabling the global energy transition. Through our expertise in power generation and transmission, and as the largest shareholder in Masdar, Taqa plays a central role in advancing clean energy solutions in the UAE,” he stated.
Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, CEO of EWEC, emphasized the strategic significance of the partnership. “EWEC is pleased to partner with Taqa on transformative initiatives that will not only power the UAE’s AI ambitions but also accelerate the nation’s energy transition. By creating a future-ready energy framework that integrates next-generation renewable technologies, we are setting a new global benchmark for sustainable energy systems,” he said.
EWEC has already achieved a milestone in Abu Dhabi’s energy sector, now supplying over 55% of the emirate’s power demand through renewable and clean energy sources. Additionally, advancements in water production technology are set to reduce carbon emissions significantly. By 2031, more than 92% of Abu Dhabi’s water supply will be produced using state-of-the-art reverse osmosis, cutting water production emissions from 16 kg/m³ in 2021 to just 1 kg/m³.
The newly announced energy initiatives further reinforce the UAE’s commitment to sustainability and technological advancement, positioning Abu Dhabi as a global leader in renewable energy deployment and low-carbon infrastructure.
