Abu Dhabi, 8 September 2025 — Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) confirmed it has received three proposals to build the Taweelah C Independent Power Producer (IPP) project.
Project Details
The planned plant will be a carbon capture-ready Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) facility, to be located at the Al Taweelah Power and Desalination Complex, around 50 kilometers northeast of Abu Dhabi.
It will produce about 2.5 gigawatts of electricity. The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is scheduled for signing in the fourth quarter of 2025, with commercial operations expected by the end of 2028.
Bidders
Three consortia have put forward proposals:
- Al Jomaih Energy and Water Company from Saudi Arabia, with Sembcorp Industries from Singapore.
- Sumitomo Corporation from Japan, with Korea Overseas Infrastructure and Urban Development Corporation and Korean Midland Power, both from South Korea.
- Korea Western Power Company from South Korea, with Etihad Water and Electricity from the UAE, and Kyuden International from Japan.
Role of the Project
This is the first major CCGT IPP project in Abu Dhabi since 2019. It comes at a time when several older plants are nearing the end of their contracts between 2025 and 2029, including Sas Al Nakhl, Taweelah A1, and Taweelah B.
The model follows Abu Dhabi’s independent power producer approach, where developers finance, build, and operate the plant while holding up to 40 percent equity, with the remainder retained indirectly by the government. The PPA is expected to run until around 2049.
Industry Context
The 2.5 gigawatt plant will add significant capacity to Abu Dhabi’s electricity system. Its carbon capture-ready design reflects updated standards for efficiency and emissions. The inclusion of Etihad Water and Electricity in one of the consortiums highlights local involvement, while the other bidders bring international experience from Asia and the Middle East.
Statement from EWEC
Mohamed Al Marzooqi, Chief Asset Development and Management Officer at EWEC, said gas-powered plants like Taweelah C remain essential for securing supply. He noted their reliability and ability to balance the grid during high-demand periods, particularly as renewable power sources expand.
With three consortia competing for the contract, the Taweelah C project is set for a competitive bidding process. The award of the PPA later in 2025 will mark the next step toward the construction and operation of the new facility by 2028.
