Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has announced a new initiative to enhance Abu Dhabi’s power grid by developing a 400-megawatt (MW) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by EWEC seeks developers for this ambitious project, which will provide up to 800 megawatt-hours (MWh) of storage capacity.
The BESS project is a key part of EWEC’s strategy to improve network stability and manage peak electricity demand while integrating more renewable energy sources. This development will support EWEC’s goal to increase solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity to 7.5 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and reduce carbon dioxide intensity from 330 kilograms per megawatt-hour (kg/MWh) in 2019 to 190 kg/MWh by 2030.
Following an Expression of Interest (EOI) process in April 2024, where 93 companies showed interest, 27 have qualified to move forward with the RFP. The BESS will also provide ancillary services like frequency response and voltage regulation, further enhancing the power network’s efficiency.
Othman Al Ali, CEO of EWEC, emphasised the project’s importance, stating, “The 400MW BESS project marks a key milestone in enhancing the resilience and efficiency of our power network. This technology facilitates the integration of more renewable energy and enables efficient peak demand management. We are committed to advancing the UAE’s position as a leader in the global energy transition and accelerating the nation’s net-zero goals.”
Responses to the RFP are anticipated by the fourth quarter of 2024.
