Issuing requests for proposals to develop the Al Zarraf solar photovoltaic power station project

ABU DHABI, 9th January, 2018 (WAM) – Emirates Water and Electricity Company announced the issuance of a request for proposals for qualified companies to develop the Al Zarraf solar photovoltaic power station project according to the independent producer model.

This new project, which will be developed in the Al Zarraf area in the Al Dhafra Region, represents a major step in advancing energy transition efforts in the UAE. The station, once operational, will produce 1,500 megawatts (alternating current), which is enough to supply about 160,000 homes with electricity, and reduce about 2.4 million metric tons annually of carbon dioxide emissions, contributing about 5% to the Emirates Water and Electricity Company’s expectations of reducing the intensity of emissions resulting from energy production by 36% by 2017. 2030.

The Al Zarraf station project is the company’s fifth leading global project for producing solar photovoltaic energy, and it will play a fundamental role in advancing its strategic plan aimed at raising solar energy capabilities in Abu Dhabi to at least 10 gigawatts by 2030.

Othman Al Ali, CEO of Emirates Water and Electricity Company, said that the Al Zarraf solar photovoltaic project confirms the company’s efforts to develop world-leading projects that contribute mainly to achieving the goals of decarbonizing the energy sector in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

He added that generating solar energy represents a sustainable and cost-effective option due to its role in accelerating the energy transition plan in the country, and the increasing demand of companies that have expressed interest in implementing this project reflects the level of competition witnessed by such vital projects in promoting a safe investment environment.

Al Ali stressed cooperation with the best qualified companies to implement this strategic project, and working together to move to the next stage of developing the project’s business.

Emirates Water and Electricity Company expects at least 18 gigawatts of solar photovoltaic energy to be in operation by 2035, to contribute mainly to supporting the goals of the Clean Energy Strategy for 2035 for electricity production in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, by meeting 60% of the total energy demand in the emirate from Through renewable and clean energy sources.

It is noteworthy that a request for proposals will be issued to developers who have passed the qualification process, after the expression of interest stage that took place in October 2024, where 20 companies and consortia submitted a letter of expression of interest to implement the project, while 16 of these companies and consortia were qualified for the request for proposal stage after submitting data. Necessary qualification.

The RFP provides detailed requirements and proposed technical standards for the project to support companies and consortia in their bids.

The Al Zarraf station project includes the development, financing, construction, operation, maintenance and ownership of a new solar photovoltaic energy station, in addition to associated infrastructure works.

The share of the developer or coalition of developers that wins the bid will be 40% of the project shares, while the Abu Dhabi government will indirectly own the remaining share of the project.

The winning developer of the project will enter into a long-term power purchase agreement with Emirates Water and Electricity Company, as the sole buyer of the quantities of water and electricity produced in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The power purchase agreement will be structured such that Emirates Water and Electricity Company pays only for the net electrical energy produced by the plant.

All developers or coalitions of developers must submit offers to the Emirates Water and Electricity Company during the second quarter of 2025, after which the company will organize an event to announce the list of companies and coalitions submitting their offers.

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