Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), a key player in water and electricity supply across the UAE, has unveiled its comprehensive plan for Abu Dhabi’s future water and electricity production. The Statement of Future Capacity Requirements 2024-2037 provides a roadmap for sustainable development, emphasizing the transition to clean energy and low-carbon water solutions.
The ambitious plan forecasts significant milestones, including the achievement of nearly emissions-free water production by 2031. Utilizing low-carbon intensive reverse osmosis (RO) technology, EWEC aims to reduce the carbon intensity of water production by an impressive 93%, from 16kg/m3 in 2021 to less than 1kg/m3 by 2031. This substantial shift is part of the largest transformation in the UAE’s water production infrastructure, facilitated by EWEC.
In the realm of solar power, the plan outlines the growth of installed solar PV capacity to approximately 7.5 GW in Abu Dhabi by 2030. To support this trajectory, EWEC recommends the development of an average of 1.4GW of new solar PV per year between 2027-2037. These efforts are expected to contribute to renewable and clean energy providing more than 50% of Abu Dhabi’s electricity by 2030.
Othman Al Ali, CEO of EWEC, highlighted the transformative journey the company has undertaken in the past five years, steering away from reliance on gas-fired power towards a diversified and sustainable energy mix. He emphasized key milestones, including the inauguration of the world’s largest single-site solar power plant and the integration of wind power into their portfolio.
As part of enhancing system flexibility, EWEC recommends the deployment of 400MW of one-hour depth battery storage by 2026. This move aims to provide operating reserves and support the integration of renewable and clean energy sources.
Despite a projected increase in demand of around 5% annually until 2035, EWEC envisions a significant reduction in total CO2 emissions, decreasing by approximately 50% from 42 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) in 2019 to around 22 MTPA by the mid-2030s. Power emissions intensity is expected to fall from 330 kilograms per megawatt-hour (kg/MWh) in 2019 to 190kg/MWh by 2030.
While transitioning towards renewable energy, EWEC recognizes the role of transitional gas capacity in ensuring energy security. Gas-fired plants will remain crucial as a transition fuel to meet Abu Dhabi’s 2035 decarbonization targets. The plan outlines the need for 5.1GW of gas capacity by 2028, comprising flexible low-cost Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) and Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) capacities.
EWEC’s plan aligns with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy’s Clean Energy Strategic Target, aiming to achieve 60% of the emirate’s energy needs from renewable and clean sources by 2035. The company’s vision reflects a commitment to leading the UAE’s transition to a sustainable future and contributing to the nation’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative.
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 has released its Statement of Future Capacity Requirements, outlining a groundbreaking vision for Abu Dhabi's water and electricity production. The plan includes achieving nearly emissions-free water by 2031, increasing solar PV capacity, and ensuring more than 50% of Abu Dhabi's electricity is from renewable sources by 2030.){kind=link}