Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) has partnered with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) to unveil new energy infrastructure projects that will enhance the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 initiative. This collaboration is marked by a significant 24-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the development of the 1-gigawatt (GW) Al Dhafra Open-Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) project.

TAQA will fully own the OCGT project and will lead its operation and maintenance. To complement this, TAQA Transmission, a division of TAQA Group, is set to establish advanced power grid infrastructure. This infrastructure will integrate the increased energy generation capacity, ensuring reliable power supplies while maintaining a minimal carbon footprint.

These initiatives align with the recent collaboration between EWEC and Masdar, aimed at creating a pioneering system for 24/7 renewable energy dispatch. This project will position the UAE as a global leader in renewable energy and low-carbon infrastructure, delivering up to 1GW of baseload power daily from renewable sources. This makes it the largest combined solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) in the world.

The partnership among EWEC, TAQA, and Masdar is expected to generate an investment of around AED36 billion in energy supply infrastructure in Abu Dhabi. Approximately 75 percent of this investment will be directed towards renewable and conventional power generation, while the remaining 25 percent will focus on grid infrastructure that will be included in the regulated asset base for assured returns.

Jasim Thabet, group CEO and managing director of TAQA and vice chairman of Masdar, emphasized the importance of providing reliable low-carbon power in facilitating the global energy transition. He highlighted TAQA’s commitment to advancing clean energy solutions in the UAE and its role as a major shareholder in Masdar.

Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, CEO of EWEC, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration, noting that it would not only support the UAE’s AI ambitions but also accelerate the country’s energy transition. He stated that by establishing a future-ready energy framework that incorporates next-generation renewable technologies and advanced transmission solutions, this partnership sets a new standard for sustainable energy systems that effectively balance sustainability with operational excellence.