EWEC says it is actively scaling Abu Dhabi’s solar capacity to more than 35 GW of solar capacity by 2035
It will also target up to 15 GW of battery storage to support the expanding solar fleet
The planned power and water system changes are expected to cut emissions by more than 45% by 2035
Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), solar electricity and water supplier in Abu Dhabi, plans to expand its cumulative solar capacity to more than 35 GW by 2035, alongside up to 15 GW of battery storage.
As Abu Dhabi prepares to meet rising electricity demand, EWEC has raised its solar target to 14 GW by 2030 and more than 35 GW by 2035, compared with its earlier targets of 10 GW and 18 GW, respectively.
The company said the strategy supports the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy’s Clean Energy Strategic Target 2035 and the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategy.
The planned expansion, it explains, will support a more than 45% reduction in carbon emissions from power and water production targeted by 2035.
“EWEC’s strategic planning ensures that our water and energy infrastructure expands substantially to power economic growth, even as total carbon emissions significantly decline,” said Mohamed Almarzooqi, Chief Assets Officer of EWEC.
EWEC said gas generation will continue to provide flexibility for variable renewable power in the near term, although its contribution is expected to decline as solar and storage capacity expands.
“We are actively procuring the utility-scale solar photovoltaic, battery storage and reverse osmosis desalination capacity required to deliver this outcome, structurally reducing the reliance of the system on gas-fired generation,” added Almarzooqi.
Among EWEC’s planned solar and storage projects is a 5.2 GW solar PV and 19 GWh battery storage project, described as the world’s first gigascale renewable energy project designed to deliver power around the clock (see UAE To Host World’s ‘1st’ Facility To Provide RE 24x7, At Scale).
Earlier this year in May 2026, EWEC partnered Masdar to deploy over 30 GW of solar PV and over 8 GW of battery storage capacity in the UAE (see Masdar & EWEC Partner For 30 GW Solar & 8 GW Battery Storage).
