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EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Corporation) proposes to increase its total solar power generation capacity by 606% to 7.3 gigawatts (GW) between 2023 and 2030, and to develop a 300 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) to improve overall network stability.
Ewec also plans to continue investing in low-carbon intensive reverse osmosis desalination technology to further decouple hydropower production.
EWEC, the UAE’s leading company for integrated coordination of hydropower planning, procurement, system operation and supply, today (8 March) released its latest Statement of Future Capacity Demand 2023-2029: A Summary Report on Future Water and Power Supply in Abu Dhabi “Electricity production.
In addition, the statement supports continued investment in low-carbon intensive reverse osmosis (RO) desalination technology so that more than 90% of total water demand can be met using RO by 2030.
The statement, issued by Ewec and approved by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy (DoE), outlines future capacity requirements in Abu Dhabi and beyond.
The report predicts that by 2029, an additional 3GW (AC) of solar generation capacity will be required, in addition to the 1.5GW (AC) of solar power procured from Al Ajban Solar PV after it becomes commercially operational in 2026.
The report also recommends procuring at least 300MW of battery capacity and one hour of deep storage by 2026 to provide running reserve and other system services, improve system operability and enhance overall network stability, it added.
Othman Al Ali, CEO of Ewec, said: “Our statement demonstrates Ewec’s commitment to advancing the UAE’s energy transition while continuing to ensure safe and reliable hydropower supplies. This report provides a strong key reference, outlining the Future needs of the UAE.”
He said: “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 Strategic Initiative for Net Zero Emissions by 2050, while supporting the achievement of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy’s 2035 Clean energy goals.”
“The development of our world-leading strategic projects lays the foundation for the country to move towards a more sustainable future, positioning it as a role model for sustainable and efficient hydropower production,” he added.
The implementation of these strategic renewable and clean energy projects will reduce the average CO2 intensity of the company’s electricity generation from 0.33 kilograms per kilowatt-hour (kg/kWh) in 2019 to an estimated 0.19kg/kWh in 2029.
Thermal power projects using gas turbine technology are part of EWEC’s plan to support the energy mix transformation by acting as an effective bridge to decarbonize the energy sector towards the national energy transition goals.
To meet reserve margin requirements, growing demand and to replace 7GW of cogeneration plants whose contracts have expired, the statement recommends securing a total thermal capacity of 9GW of open or combined cycle gas turbines through asset expansion, restructuring or new development.
EWEC’s statement report also predicts the need to continue to develop two low-carbon intensive RO desalination plants, Mirfa 2 reverse osmosis, which will be able to produce 120MIGD of drinking water, and Shuweihat 4 reverse osmosis, which will have a production capacity of 70MIGD.
Additionally, the report highlights the need to develop a 100MIGD Abu Dhabi Islands RO desalination project by 2027. This is primarily due to the significant cost advantage of RO over existing CHP assets.
The unit cost of new RO water production is about 60% lower than the average system cost of current water production. The report states that more ROs are needed to meet peak demand and reduce overall departmental costs.
EWEC predicts that by 2030, more than 90% of its water production will come from reverse osmosis desalination plants. In addition, it expects the intensity of produced water emissions to decrease from 11.5 kgm in 2019 to an estimated 1.4 kgm by 2029.
Bruce Smith, Executive Director, Strategy and Planning, said: “EWEC is leading Abu Dhabi’s transition to low carbon intensive hydropower production. The report’s in-depth modeling analysis recognizes that developing additional solar PV can have significant system costs and The carbon-reducing benefits of electricity and reverse osmosis desalination capabilities allow these insights to be translated into actionable plans.”
“EWEC is further diversifying its energy mix and increasing the share of renewable energy and low-carbon intensive RO to ensure a safe, sustainable and lowest-cost hydropower supply in Abu Dhabi and beyond,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service
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