For the first time, the UAE’s Emirates Water and Electricity Company (Ewec) meets 80 percent of Abu Dhabi’s total electricity needs using renewable clean energy from its solar and nuclear power plants.
In the process, Ewec provided approximately 6.2 gigawatts (GW) of the 7.7GW system’s total power demand.
The significant achievement of meeting 80 percent of total electricity demand using renewable and clean energy sources reflects the realization of the future vision of the UAE’s wise leadership to develop world-class systems and energy infrastructure.
Ewec is accelerating the implementation of Abu Dhabi’s energy transition strategy to reduce reliance on hydrocarbons and decouple water production from electricity generation by investing in the development of utility-scale solar and low carbon intensive reverse osmosis (RO) desalination projects .
Ewec aims to increase Abu Dhabi’s solar power generation capacity to around 7GW by 2030 and produce more than 90% of its water using RO plants. Ewec’s strategy supports the achievement of the Ministry of Energy – Abu Dhabi’s Clean Energy Strategy 2035 and the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, ultimately contributing to the UAE’s 2050 Net Zero target.
Othman Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of Ewec, said: “Ewec is very proud to be able to successfully meet such a high proportion of electricity demand from renewable and clean energy sources. To supply 60% of the total electricity demand in December 2022 using renewable and clean energy sources, Now at 80% by February 2023, it demonstrates that we are rapidly deploying sustainable energy and sets the example for the world in the UAE’s strategic net-zero emissions ambition to act before COP28.
“Growth in our diverse portfolio of world-leading utility-scale renewable energy projects will play an integral role in accelerating the country’s energy transition and decarbonising the energy sector. We look forward to continuing to work with our project partners as We are committed to advancing sustainable and efficient water and electricity supply in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE.”
Easa Alzarooni, Executive Director of System Operations at Ewec, said: “Ewec will continue its journey into the ‘Year of Sustainability’ in 2023 with another major achievement, meeting more than 80% of total electricity demand from solar and nuclear. This is achieved through the flexible operation of the system. Realized, it coordinates with other control centers in the UAE, providing integrated, sophisticated real-time applications, as well as advanced analytical capabilities and operational planning to balance supply demand with our sustainability goals.”
The provision of renewable and clean energy is achieved through solar power generation connected to the grid, which includes power from Shams CSP, Noor Abu Dhabi, and power from the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. Ewec’s current and future renewable energy projects, together with the Barakah nuclear power plant, are expected to reduce carbon emissions by 50%, from over 40 million tonnes in 2020 to around 20 million tonnes in 2025. – trade arab news agency