Abu Dhabi is charting a bold course towards sustainability, with plans to harness more than half of its electricity from renewable and clean energy sources by 2030, revealed a senior official from the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (Ewec).
According to CEO Othman Juma Al Ali, the state-owned entity is ramping up Abu Dhabi’s solar energy production capacity to a staggering 7.6 gigawatts (GW) by the end of the decade. This ambitious initiative, as reported by the UAE state-run Wam news agency, underscores Abu Dhabi’s commitment to embracing sustainable energy solutions.
Key among the major solar photovoltaic (PV) projects contributing to this ambitious target are the Al Khazna and Al Ajban plants, alongside the renowned Noor Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra solar facilities.
Ewec made headlines this week with its announcement to solicit developers for the construction of a groundbreaking 1,500-megawatt Khazna solar PV plant. This milestone project, Al Ali emphasized, is pivotal in advancing Ewec’s ambitious plans to bolster PV solar energy capabilities from 2027 to 2037.
Furthermore, Ewec is making significant strides in advancing three power stations, slated for completion between 2028 and 2029, further cementing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global leader in sustainable energy development.
Al Ali stressed the imperative for an additional 5 gigawatts of gas capacity to complement the integration of renewable energy projects and ensure flexibility during peak energy demand. Discussions are underway with pertinent government authorities to designate new energy production complexes, complementing existing thermal power plants across strategic locations.
In a multifaceted approach towards sustainability, Ewec has also invested in low-carbon reverse osmosis projects, with the aim to produce over 92 percent of water through reverse osmosis desalination plants by 2031. Notable projects under its purview include Al Taweelah (200 million gallons), Al Mirfa (30 million gallons), and Fujairah (90 million gallons), with additional stations such as Port 2 (120 million gallons), Shuweihat (70 million gallons), and Saadiyat (60 million gallons) currently under construction.
