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The Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to qualified companies for the development of the Zarraf Solar PV Independent Power Producer (IPP) project, located in the Al Zarraf area of the Al Dhafra Region. The project, which will have a 1,500MW (AC) power generation capacity, is expected to power approximately 160,000 homes and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 2.4 million metric tonnes annually. This marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s energy transition, contributing 5 percent of EWEC’s forecasted 36 percent reduction in power emissions intensity by 2030. The Zarraf Solar PV project will become EWEC and Abu Dhabi’s fifth utility-scale solar PV initiative, as part of the company’s strategy to increase Abu Dhabi’s solar power capacity to at least 10GW (AC) by 2030. Othman Al Ali, CEO of EWEC, emphasized the importance of the project, stating, “Zarraf Solar PV is a further example of EWEC’s sharp focus on commissioning world-leading projects as a strategic pillar in our plans to decarbonize the energy sector in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Solar power generation accelerates the UAE’s energy transition, and we look forward to receiving proposals and moving forward with development.” By 2035, EWEC forecasts at least 18GW of solar PV in operation, supporting the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy’s Clean Energy Strategic Target 2035, aiming to meet 60 percent of the emirate’s power demand through renewable and clean energy sources. The RFP is being issued to 16 companies and consortiums who have successfully qualified following the Expression of Interest (EOI) stage in October 2024. The developers will be responsible for the entire project lifecycle, including development, financing, construction, operation, maintenance, and ownership of the plant. The successful developer will hold up to 40 percent of the project’s equity, with the remaining shares held by the Abu Dhabi Government. The developer will enter into a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with EWEC, structured as an energy purchase agreement. Responses to the RFP are due by Q2 2025, after which EWEC will hold a public event to announce the successful bidders. |
