Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has received three proposals for the Khazna Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Independent Power Project (IPP) in Abu Dhabi. The proposals are from ENGIE, a consortium of EDF Renewables and Korea Western Power (KOWEPO), and a consortium of Jinko Power and JERA. This project will have a capacity of 1,500 megawatts (AC).
The Khazna Solar PV IPP is EWEC’s fourth utility-scale solar power project. The previous projects are Noor Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra Solar PV, and Al Ajban Solar PV. When the Khazna Solar PV IPP begins operations in 2027, EWEC’s total solar PV power capacity will reach approximately 5.5 gigawatts (GWac).
EWEC received 27 Expressions of Interest (EOI) from potential bidders for this project. Out of these, 19 companies and consortiums qualified for the Request for Proposals (RFP) stage. The awarding of the project and the signing of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) are anticipated to occur in the second quarter of 2025.
The Khazna Solar PV IPP is part of the broader strategy of EWEC to increase renewable energy production in the UAE. The UAE aims to diversify its energy sources and increase the share of clean energy in its overall energy mix.
The Noor Abu Dhabi solar plant, which became operational in 2019, has a capacity of 1.17 GW and was one of the largest solar projects in the world at the time. The Al Dhafra Solar PV project, announced in 2020, has a capacity of 2 GW and is expected to be one of the largest solar plants in the world upon completion. The Al Ajban Solar PV project also contributes to the total solar capacity of EWEC.
