EWEC has invited proposals for the 1.5 GW AC Zarraf Solar PV Project in Abu Dhabi
Proposals are sought from 16 qualifying companies and consortiums out of 20 entities that responded to the EOI
EWEC will enter long-term PPA with the winning developer and will pay only for the net electrical energy supplied
The Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has opened a request for proposals (RFP) round for the development of the 1.5 GW AC Zarraf Solar PV Project in Abu Dhabi, calling it one of the world’s largest single-site solar PV projects.
The agency selected 16 companies and consortiums in the qualification round for this tender out of 20 that submitted expressions of interest (EOI) for its EOI round launched in October 2024. (see EWEC Launches Call For 1.5 GW AC Zarraf Solar PV Project In Abu Dhabi).
These 16 companies will now submit detailed proposals to EWEC to win the project. The winner will be required to develop, finance, construct, operate, and maintain the project after completion. Responses will be accepted by Q2 2025, according to EWEC.
The winning developer will also own the plant and its associated infrastructure with up to 40% stake, and the rest will be owned indirectly by the Abu Dhabi government.
The greenfield project in the Al Zarraf region of Al Dhafra will be developed as an independent power producer (IPP) project. On completion, it is expected to deliver 5% of EWEC’s forecasted 36% reduction in power emissions intensity by 2030, vis-à-vis today.
The winner will enter into a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with EWEC. It will be structured as an energy purchase agreement wherein EWEC will pay only for the net electrical energy supplied by the plant.
“Solar power generation represents a cost-effective, sustainable, and transformative option that accelerates the UAE’s energy transition,” said EWEC CEO Othman Al Ali. “I welcome the strong level of interest expressed in this essential project so far, and we look forward to receiving proposals from pre-qualified companies and moving to the next stage of development on this exciting project.”
The 5th utility-scale solar PV project in EWEC and Abu Dhabi’s solar plans, the Zarraf project is part of EWEC’s plan to have 10 GW solar PV capacity in operation by 2030 and 18 GW by 2035, to support Abu Dhabi’s 60% renewable energy target.
In December 2024, it secured approval to allocate land for the development of 4.5 GW AC solar PV and 140 MW wind farm capacity (see Middle East & Africa Solar PV News Snippets: EWEC Secures Land for 4.6 GW New RE Projects & More).