Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has released a report recommending a 606% increase in total solar power generation capacity to 7.3 GW and the development of 300 MW of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) between 2023 and 2030 for Abu Dhabi’s future water and electricity production.
The report also proposes investing in low-carbon reverse osmosis (RO) water desalination technology to meet over 90% of the total water demand using RO by 2030. The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has approved the report, which forecasts an additional 3 GW of solar power capacity by 2029 and the procurement of at least 300 MW of battery capacity by 2026.
The implementation of these renewable and clean energy projects is expected to decrease EWEC’s average carbon dioxide intensity from 0.33 kg/kWh in 2019 to an estimated 0.19 kg/kWh by 2029.
EWEC’s CEO, Othman Al Ali, stated that the Statement of Future Capacity Requirements Summary Report demonstrates the company’s commitment to advancing the UAE’s energy transition while ensuring a secure and reliable supply of water and electricity in the UAE, according to WAM.
He added that EWEC’s 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.
Meanwhile, Bruce Smith, Strategy and Planning Executive Director at EWEC, said the company is leading Abu Dhabi’s transition to low-carbon-intensive water and electricity production. The report forecasts that over 90 percent of EWEC’s water production will be generated from RO water desalination plants by 2030.
Furthermore, the report recommends securing a total of 9GW of thermal capacity from open- or combined-cycle gas turbines through asset extension, reconfiguration, or new development.
