Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), in collaboration with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), has officially revealed the development and execution of new energy infrastructure initiatives that will directly support the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 initiative.
This groundbreaking partnership features TAQA signing a 24-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with EWEC to build, own, and operate the 1-gigawatt (GW) Al Dhafra Open-Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) project in the UAE.
With 100 percent ownership of the OCGT project, TAQA will take the lead in the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the plant. Additionally, TAQA Transmission, a division of TAQA Group, will develop cutting-edge power grid infrastructure to seamlessly integrate the increased generation capacity to meet new energy demands, ensuring reliable power with a minimal carbon footprint.
Projects support innovative renewable energy initiatives
These projects are set to promote the recently announced collaboration between EWEC and Masdar, which aims to create a world-first initiative allowing renewable energy to be dispatched 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This effort underscores the UAE’s status as a global leader in renewable energy deployment and low-carbon infrastructure. Additionally, the initiative will deliver up to 1GW of baseload power daily, generated from renewable sources, making it the largest combined solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) globally.
Collaboration drives significant investment in energy supply infrastructure
The partnership among EWEC, TAQA, and Masdar will further facilitate an investment of approximately AED36 billion in energy supply infrastructure in Abu Dhabi, with around 75 percent allocated to renewable and conventional power generation. The remaining 25 percent will target grid infrastructure, which will be incorporated into the regulated asset base to ensure a regulated return.
Jasim Thabet, group CEO and managing director of TAQA and vice chairman of Masdar, remarked, “Providing reliable low-carbon power plays an important role in enabling the global energy transition. Through our expertise in power generation and transmission, and as the largest shareholder in Masdar, TAQA plays a central role in advancing clean energy solutions in the UAE, and we remain committed to ensuring reliable, low-carbon power at all times.
As a champion of low-carbon power and water, we are proud to be a part of these world-class projects alongside our partner EWEC,” Thabet also noted.
Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, chief executive officer of EWEC, stated, “EWEC is pleased to partner with TAQA on transformative initiatives that will not only power the UAE’s AI ambitions but also accelerate the nation’s energy transition. By creating a future-ready energy framework that integrates next-generation renewable energy technologies and advanced transmission solutions, this collaboration is setting a new global benchmark for sustainable energy systems that balances sustainability with operational excellence. As the UAE transitions into an AI-powered future, we are creating the foundation for a future where advanced technologies can flourish, while meeting the country’s forward-thinking environmental and economic goals.”
