Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) expects carbon emissions from water and electricity production in Abu Dhabi to decline by more than 45 per cent by 2035, despite a significant increase in electricity demand.
The forecast was outlined by EWEC on World Zero Emissions Day, observed annually on 21 September, as the company highlighted its long-term plans to expand the UAE’s water and power infrastructure while reducing its carbon intensity.
According to EWEC’s latest long-term system planning, combined carbon emissions from power and water production are projected to fall from around 42 million tonnes in 2019 to approximately 23 million tonnes in 2035.
The reduction is expected to occur alongside continued growth in electricity consumption. EWEC forecasts annual electricity demand to increase by around 70 per cent between 2026 and 2033.
“EWEC’s strategic planning ensures that our water and energy infrastructure expands substantially to power economic growth, even as total carbon emissions significantly decline,” said Mohamed Almarzooqi, Chief Assets Officer at EWEC.
He said the company is procuring utility-scale solar photovoltaic capacity, battery storage and reverse osmosis desalination facilities to support the transition and reduce the system’s dependence on gas-fired power generation.
The expansion of renewable energy and the transition toward reverse osmosis desalination are expected to be the main contributors to the projected emissions reduction.
EWEC plans to increase Abu Dhabi’s solar capacity to 14 gigawatts by 2030 and more than 35 gigawatts by 2035. The renewable expansion is expected to be supported by up to 15 gigawatts of battery storage capacity.
As more renewable generation and storage capacity comes online, gas-fired power plants are expected to play a smaller role in the overall generation mix, while continuing to provide flexibility when renewable output fluctuates.
The water sector is also expected to undergo a major transformation. EWEC forecasts that reverse osmosis desalination will account for more than 95 per cent of total water production by 2035, helping lower the emissions intensity of water production.
EWEC said the planned expansion is designed to meet rising demand while improving the resilience and security of Abu Dhabi’s water and electricity systems.
The company’s efforts also support the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy’s Clean Energy Strategic Target 2035 for electricity production and contribute to the UAE’s wider UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategy.
