EWEC's Suggestion To Increase Solar Power Capacity Over 600%

EWEC Released Its latest Statement of Future Capacity Requirements 2023-2029

The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) approved the Statement, which was put out by EWEC. It describes the future production capacity needs for Abu Dhabi and other places.

The report says that by 2029, there will be a need for an extra 3GW (AC) of solar power capacity. This is on top of the 1.5GW (AC) of solar power that will be bought from Al Ajban Solar PV once it starts selling power in 2026.

The report also recommends procuring a minimum of 300 MWh 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.

According to the report, 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 0.19 kg/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's and the UAE’s future needs. Our growing portfolio of renewable and clean energy projects is accelerating the decarbonization of the country’s energy sector in line with the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, while also supporting the realization 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."

Commenting on the increase in thermal capacity report, it said that thermal power projects using gas turbine technology are part of EWEC’s plans to support the transformation of the energy mix by serving as an effective bridge to a decarbonized energy sector that achieves the country’s energy transition objectives.

To meet reserve margin requirements, grow demand, and replace 7 GW of contract-expiring thermal cogeneration plants, the statement recommends securing a total of 9 GW of thermal capacity from open- or combined-cycle gas turbines through asset extension, reconfiguration, or new development.

Further talking about the low-carbon intensive RO capacity report added, EWEC’s statement report also forecasts the need to proceed with the development of two low-carbon intensive RO desalination plants: Mirfa 2 reverse osmosis, which will have the capacity to produce 120 MIGD of potable water, and Shuweihat 4 reverse osmosis, with a production capacity of 70 MIGD.

Additionally, the report also highlights the need to develop the 100 MIGD Abu Dhabi Islands RO desalination project in 2027.

This is primarily driven by RO’s substantial cost advantage over existing cogeneration assets. The unit cost of water from the new RO is approximately 60 percent lower than the current average system cost of water production. The report states that more RO is required to satisfy peak demand and reduce overall sector costs.

According to the report, EWEC forecasts that over 90 percent of its water production will be generated from RO water desalination plants by 2030. Additionally, it expects a reduction in the intensity of water production emissions from 11.5 kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m3) in 2019 to an estimated 1.4 kg/m3 by 2029.

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 modeling analysis recognized 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," Bruce Smith concluded.