Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EOC) has unveiled two new projects to build and develop two power plants in the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, with investments exceeding AED 4.2 billion, pointing out that the first to generate electricity with natural gas, while the second depends on solar energy.

On the sidelines of the World Energy Conference in Abu Dhabi, CEO Osman Juma Al Ali said that the first project, located in Qudfa, Fujairah, aims to develop a natural gas power plant with a capacity of between 2000 and 2400. MW, noting that the book of conditions in the market was issued during last May, while the bidding is expected to be received by next October, with the target date of commercial operation in April 2023.

He added that the second project in the Al Dhafra area in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which is a power plant based on solar PV, with a maximum production capacity of 1500 MW.

He pointed out that the book of conditions was also issued in the market last May, expecting to receive the bids by the end of October 2019, with the target date of commercial operation in February 2022.

Al Ali pointed out that EOC does not bear the cost of the investments of the two projects, but is a joint investment between the government of Abu Dhabi (60%) and a foreign investor (40%).

Commercial operation

Al Ali said that the company also has projects that have completed pre-operational testing phase, and entered into commercial operation, including «Noor Abu Dhabi» the largest independent solar power plant in the world, with a production capacity of 1177 MW, noting that the plant has the most competitive tariff structures by 8,888 fils / kWh (equivalent to 2.42 US cents / kWh), with a record location in 18 months.

He added that there are projects under construction, including the Taweelah reverse osmosis desalination plant, which is the largest of its kind in the world once completed, with a production capacity of 909 thousand and 200 cubic meters of desalinated water per day, pointing out that the project was awarded to «Aqua Power» In March 2019.

He pointed out that the project is currently under construction, expected to reach the commercial operation phase by the end of October 2022.

Advanced stages

The CEO of Emirates Water and Electricity Company said that the company operates 14 plants in general in the country, pointing out that the company has reached advanced stages in negotiations to supply competitive and flexible quantities of gas over the next five years, which will allow the integration of nuclear power generation in its system.

He emphasized the company's efforts to align its methodology with the energy mix set by the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, with the aim of raising the contribution of clean energy to the total energy mix to 50% by 2050, and reducing the carbon footprint of power generation by 70%.

Al Ali stressed the company's commitment to reduce the environmental impact of its activities in the production of energy and water by enhancing the efficiency of its fleet on thermal power generation, investing in renewable technologies by adding a large capacity of solar energy and nuclear zero-carbon emissions, and the use of low-carbon electricity to power the desalination plants of the company .

Water Purchase Agreement

Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) today announced the signing of a 'Buying Water' agreement with Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power, the strategic partner in the construction of the new desalination plant in Al Taweelah in Abu Dhabi. Al Taweelah Station, located 45 km north of Abu Dhabi, for a period of 30 years, commencing commercial operation of the plant, scheduled for the last quarter of 2022.

The plant will produce 200 million imperial gallons per day, based on reverse osmosis desalination technology, will be one of the most cost-efficient and energy-efficient desalination plants, and will provide water for 350,000 families.

The new reverse osmosis plant sets new standards in terms of volume and cost of water produced, which will be 44% larger than the largest existing plant in the world, using this technology, which produces 624 thousand cubic meters per day. Because of the standard energy efficiency levels that you will set under production of less than three kWh per cubic meter.