Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has announced the award of its new 1.5-gigawatt (GW) (AC) Khazna Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Independent Power Project.
The utility-scale solar power plant development was awarded to ENGIE, a global leader in low-carbon energy solutions, alongside Masdar as the local shareholder and clean energy leader.
Following the award, EWEC signed the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with both companies.
Once operational, Khazna Solar PV will generate enough electricity to power around 160,000 homes across the UAE, reducing over 2.4 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions annually in Abu Dhabi. The plant will comprise nearly three million solar panels that track the sun throughout the day to maximize energy capture and output.
Khazna Solar PV will support EWEC’s strategic plan to expand Abu Dhabi’s solar power generation capacity to 18GW by 2035 and meet 60 percent of the emirate’s total electricity demand from renewable and clean energy sources, in line with the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy’s Clean Energy Strategic Target 2035.
The Khazna Solar PV contract was awarded following a comprehensive procurement process. The PPA is structured as an energy purchase agreement, where EWEC will pay only for the net electrical energy supplied by the plant.
Under the agreement, ENGIE and Masdar will design, finance, build, and operate the plant near Abu Dhabi’s Al Khazna area.
To ensure long-term efficiency and optimal performance, the project will integrate advanced digital solutions, including IoT-enabled sensors, cloud-based monitoring platforms, big data analytics, and robotic cleaning systems, minimizing maintenance costs and maximizing panel output.
“Khazna Solar PV, our fourth world-leading utility-scale solar project, is a strategic asset that significantly accelerates our journey towards achieving the UAE’s renewable energy targets. By commissioning and deploying transformative and world-leading renewable energy projects, EWEC is taking tangible actions that are pivotal in accelerating the UAE’s energy transition to a carbon-neutral future, supporting the country’s sustainability and socio-economic objectives,” Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC, said.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said that the Khazna Solar PV project continues Masdar’s long-standing partnership with EWEC, changing how the UAE produces and consumes energy through pioneering, best-in-class solutions. He added that this iconic solar project will support transformation while creating opportunities for sustainable socioeconomic growth.
Paulo Almirante, ENGIE Senior Vice President in charge of Renewable and Flexible Power, said, “ENGIE is proud to support the UAE’s energy transition and deepen our longstanding partnership with the country through the Khazna Solar PV project, which will become our largest photovoltaic asset globally. This landmark project reflects both our shared ambition for decarbonisation and the power of strategic public-private collaboration to accelerate large-scale renewable deployment.”
(Inputs from WAM)
