EWEC Releases RFP for 1.5 GW Solar Power Project

EWEC is accepting proposals from qualified companies to develop the 1.5 GW Zarraf solar independent power producer project in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region, in the United Arab Emirates.

After launching the expression of interest stage in October 2024, EWEC announced that 16 of the 20 companies and consortia that submitted initial bids would be eligible to submit proposals.

The chosen developer or consortium will finance, build, operate, maintain, and partially own the plant and its infrastructure. They will hold up to 40% of the entity, with the Abu Dhabi government retaining an indirect majority stake. A long-term power purchase agreement will require EWEC to pay only for the net electrical energy the plant supplies.

Proposals are due by the second quarter of this year. EWEC plans to host a public event to confirm which companies and consortia submit bids.

The Zarraf project is set to be EWEC’s and Abu Dhabi’s fifth utility-scale solar project. It is expected to be one of the world’s largest single-site solar projects upon completion, capable of powering approximately 160,000 homes.

EWEC has set a target of increasing Abu Dhabi’s solar power capacity to at least 10 GW by 2030. The company recently said it has secured four sites in the UAE to develop 4.6 GW of solar and wind projects.