Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), the UAE’s integrated water and electricity planning and supply authority, has awarded its 1.5 gigawatt (GW) Khazna Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Independent Power Project to ENGIE, a global leader in low-carbon energy solutions, and Masdar, serving as the local shareholder. Following the award, a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) was signed between EWEC and the two companies.
The Khazna Solar PV project is part of EWEC’s strategic plan to significantly expand solar energy capacity in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE. Once operational, the plant is expected to generate sufficient electricity to power approximately 160,000 homes while avoiding more than 2.4 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions annually in Abu Dhabi. The facility will feature nearly three million solar panels with tracking technology to maximize energy capture.
The project aligns with EWEC’s long-term objectives to raise Abu Dhabi’s solar power capacity to 18 GW by 2035 and to achieve 60 per cent of the Emirate’s electricity demand from renewable and clean energy sources, in line with the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy’s (DoE) Clean Energy Strategic Target 2035.
Leadership Statements
Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, CEO of EWEC, said, “Khazna Solar PV, our fourth world-leading utility-scale solar project, is a strategic asset accelerating our journey toward the UAE’s renewable energy targets. By partnering with ENGIE and Masdar, we are leveraging world-class expertise to deliver a project that will enhance the long-term energy security of the UAE.”
Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi commented, “Masdar is proud to collaborate on this gigawatt-scale project, continuing our partnership with EWEC and advancing the UAE’s clean energy transformation. Khazna Solar PV will support sustainable growth while redefining how the UAE produces and consumes energy.”
Paulo Almirante, ENGIE Senior Vice President for Renewable and Flexible Power, added, “This landmark project reflects our shared ambition for decarbonisation and highlights the power of strategic public-private collaboration. Khazna Solar PV will become ENGIE’s largest photovoltaic asset globally, reinforcing our commitment to reliable, clean energy solutions in the UAE.”
Project Details and Technology
The PPA structure allows EWEC to pay only for the net electrical energy supplied by the plant. ENGIE and Masdar will design, finance, construct, and operate the facility near Abu Dhabi’s Al Khazna area. Advanced digital solutions—including IoT-enabled sensors, cloud-based monitoring platforms, big data analytics, and robotic cleaning systems—will optimize panel performance and reduce operational costs.
Strategic Context
EWEC’s renewable energy initiatives are part of Abu Dhabi’s broader energy diversification strategy, which includes solar, wind, nuclear energy, and low-carbon seawater desalination. By 2030, the Emirate aims to source over 50 per cent of its electricity from clean energy, reducing carbon intensity from 330 kg/MWh in 2019 to 150 kg/MWh. The Khazna Solar PV project is expected to reach financial close by the end of Q4 2025.
Discover more from SolarQuarter
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
