Abu Dhabi — Emirates Water and Electricity Company (Emirates Water and Electricity Company) has announced the award of the Taweelah C Independent Power Producer (IPP) project in Abu Dhabi, a major addition to the emirate’s long-term energy infrastructure strategy.
The project will deliver a 2.6 gigawatt combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant designed with future carbon capture compatibility, strengthening Abu Dhabi’s flexible generation capacity while supporting its energy transition goals.
The development has been awarded to Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), working in partnership with a consortium led by Aljomaih Energy and Water Company and Sembcorp Industries.
Following the award, EWEC signed a long-term power purchase agreement extending to 2050, under which it will remain the sole buyer of electricity generated by the plant. TAQA will hold a 60% stake in the project, while the international consortium will control the remaining 40%. TAQA will also take a 40% share in the operations and maintenance company, with the consortium holding 60%.
EWEC said the project forms a key part of its strategy to balance energy security with rapid decarbonisation and expanding renewable capacity. The utility aims to scale its solar portfolio beyond 30GW by 2035, with Taweelah C serving as a flexible bridge technology to support that growth.
Mohamed Almarzooqi, Chief Assets Officer at EWEC, said the project represents a milestone in delivering low-cost, efficient generation while enabling future renewable integration across Abu Dhabi’s grid.
TAQA Generation highlighted that flexible gas-fired capacity will remain essential to stabilising power systems as renewable deployment accelerates, supporting its broader target of reaching 150GW of global power capacity by 2030.
Partners Aljomaih Energy and Water Company and Sembcorp Industries also emphasized the project’s role in strengthening regional energy infrastructure and supporting long-term collaboration with UAE utilities.
The plant will use high-efficiency H-class turbines supplied by Siemens Energy and is being designed for high operational efficiency and lower emissions intensity.
Construction and operations will be managed under Abu Dhabi’s independent power producer framework, with commercial operations expected to begin in 2029. The project is also expected to contribute to Emiratisation goals by creating opportunities for UAE nationals in technical and operational roles.
