EWEC issues RfP for 1.5-GW solar project in Abu Dhabi

UAE's utility Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) on Wednesday issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the development of the 1.5-GW Al Ajban solar PV project in Abu Dhabi.

A total of 19 out of 43 companies and consortiums have qualified for the next stage of the competition after submitting expressions of interest (EoI) last year. The competitors who successfully passed the EoI round are now invited to lodge proposals for the project by the end of the first quarter of 2023, EWEC said.

The winner will be in charge of the development, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of the plant and associated infrastructure. The developer will own up to 40% of the scheme with the government of Abu Dhabi indirectly holding the majority share.

EWEC will offtake the power from the large-scale solar park under a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the developer.

Once operational, the solar park will supply about 160,000 homes across the UAE and increase Abu Dhabi's solar capacity to some 4 GWac.

Al Ajban Solar PV is the third large-scale solar project tendered by EWEC. The utility is also involved in the 1.2-GW Noor Abu Dhabi solar park, which began commercial operation in April 2019, and the 2-GW Al Dhafra PV2 solar project which is under construction in Abu Dhabi.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!