Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has invited proposals from qualified companies for the development of the Al Sila Wind Independent Power Project (IPP). The project will be located near the existing wind farm in Al Sila.
The wind farm is expected to generate up to 140 megawatts (MW) of electricity. With this project, Abu Dhabi’s wind energy capacity will increase to around 240MW. Other wind farms in the emirate include those on Sir Bani Yas Island and Delma Island.
The selected developer or consortium will be responsible for financing, building, operating, and maintaining the wind farm. Up to 40 percent of the project will be owned by the developer, while the Abu Dhabi Government will indirectly hold the remaining share. The power generated will be sold to EWEC under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), which means EWEC will pay only for the electricity supplied.
Wind energy is an area of continued research and expansion in Abu Dhabi. In addition to land-based wind farms, studies have been conducted to assess offshore wind potential. Research is also being done on hybrid energy systems that combine wind power with solar and battery storage to ensure a steady electricity supply.
EWEC has also been expanding its renewable energy projects beyond wind power. The Noor Abu Dhabi solar plant has been operating since 2019, and the Al Dhafra solar project is expected to add further capacity. There are also renewable-powered desalination projects aimed at improving water security using energy-efficient reverse osmosis technology.
The Al Sila Wind project is part of a broader plan to increase Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy capacity. By 2035, wind power is expected to grow to 2.6 gigawatts. The bidding process will determine which company will take on the responsibility of developing this new wind farm.
