EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company), a leading company in the integrated coordination of planning, purchasing, system operations, and supply of water and electricity across the UAE released its latest Statement of Future Capacity Requirements 2023-2029: Summary Report for Abu Dhabi’s future water and electricity production. The Statement recommends that, between 2023 and 2030, EWEC increase its total solar power generation capacity by 606 percent to 7.3 gigawatts (GW), in addition to the development of 300 megawatts (MW) of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Furthermore, the Statement endorses continued investment in low-carbon intensive reverse osmosis (RO) water desalination technology to enable over 90 percent of the total water demand to be met using RO by 2030.
The Statement, published by EWEC and approved by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), outlines the future production capacity requirements for Abu Dhabi and beyond. The report forecasts the requirement for an additional 3GW (AC) of solar power capacity by 2029, in addition to the 1.5GW (AC) of solar power procured from Al Ajban Solar PV once it reaches commercial operations in 2026.
The report also recommends procuring a minimum of 300MW of battery capacity with a one-hour depth of storage by 2026, to provide operating reserves and other system services, improving system operability and enhancing overall network stability.
The implementation of these strategic renewable and clean energy projects will see the company’s average carbon dioxide intensity from electricity generation fall from 0.33 kilograms per kilowatt-hour (kg/kWh) in 2019 to an estimated 0.19kg/kWh by 2029.
Othman Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC, said, “Our Statement of Future Capacity Requirements Summary Report demonstrates EWEC’s commitment to advancing the UAE’s energy transition while continuing to ensure a secure and reliable supply of water and electricity in the UAE. This report provides a powerful key reference that outlines Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s future needs. Our growing portfolio of renewable and clean energy projects is accelerating the decarbonisation of the country’s energy sector in line with the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative whilst supporting the realisation of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy’s Clean Energy Target 2035. The development of our world-leading strategic projects underpins the country’s journey towards a more sustainable future, positioning it as a role model for sustainable and efficient water and electricity production.”
Bruce Smith, Strategy and Planning Executive Director at EWEC, said, “EWEC is leading Abu Dhabi’s transition to low-carbon-intensive water and electricity production. The report’s in-depth modelling analysis recognised significant system cost and carbon emissions reduction benefits from developing additional solar PV power and RO water desalination capacity, enabling the translation of these insights into actionable plans. EWEC is making tangible progress towards further diversifying the energy mix and increasing the share of renewable energy and low-carbon intensive RO to ensure a secure, sustainable, and least-cost supply of water and electricity across Abu Dhabi and beyond.”
, in addition to the development of 300 megawatts (MW) of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).){kind=link}