EWEC seeks proposals for 2.5GW Taweelah C project

Commercial operation is expected by the third quarter of 2028.

UAE's Emirates and Water Electricity Company (EWEC) has issued a request for proposals for the development of the Taweelah C Independent Power Producer (IPP) project. This will be a carbon-capture-ready combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant located in the Al Taweelah Power and Desalination Complex, around 50 kilometres to the North East of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. 

“As we lead this transformation, natural gas will be a key transition fuel to enable us to meet Abu Dhabi’s 2035 decarbonisation targets as we continue to successfully onboard new renewable capacity. Taweelah C’s efficient and carbon-capture-ready technology has an important role to play in enhancing the flexibility of our generation system and ensuring energy security,” said EWEC CEO Othman Al Ali.

Taweelah C is expected to begin commercial operations in the third quarter of 2028, generating up to 2.5 gigawatts. It will provide transitional capacity to support the integration of large-scale renewable energy and provide additional flexibility during periods of peak power demand. 

The project will follow the model of Abu Dhabi’s independent power producer programme, where developers enter into a long-term agreement with EWEC as the sole procurer. It will involve the development, financing, construction, operation, maintenance, and ownership of the plant, with the successful developer or developer consortium owning up to 40% of the entity, and the remaining equity will be held indirectly by the Abu Dhabi government. 

Responses to the request for proposals are expected in the fourth quarter of 2024.