Abu Dhabi receives Al-Nouf prequalifications
14 April 2025
State utility and offtaker Emirates Water & Electricity Company (Ewec) has received statements of qualifications (SoQs) for a contract to develop a new combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power generation plant in Abu Dhabi.
The CCGT plant will be located at the Al-Nouf complex, 30 kilometres southwest of Abu Dhabi.
The Al-Nouf 1 independent power project (IPP) will have a net generation capacity of approximately 3.3GW.
MEED understands that Ewec has been discussing support for the prospective bidders in terms of the procurement process for the necessary gas turbines with original equipment manufacturers.
The project’s initial procurement timeline involves issuing the request for proposals (RFPs) before the end of March and submitting the bids by late August.
AI support fleet
The CCGT plant, initially reported as part of the Abu Dhabi fleet generation planned to support the UAE capital’s artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, is expected to reach commercial operations by June 2029.
The other generation projects supporting Abu Dhabi’s AI plans include the Dhafra open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT) project, which Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa) will own and operate, as well as the 5.2GW solar photovoltaic (PV) plus 19GWh battery energy storage system project, which Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) will develop.
Major capacity buildout
Ewec is undertaking a substantial capacity buildout to support the emirate’s net-zero, energy diversification and AI strategies.
It received a single proposal for a contract to develop the Taweelah C IPP project in late February.
The Taweelah C IPP will have a generation capacity of up to 2,500MW and is expected to reach commercial operations in the third quarter of 2028.
Industry sources suggest that UAE-based Etihad Water & Electricity (Etihad WE) submitted the lone bid for the contract.
The Taweelah C IPP is the first gas-fired power plant project to be procured by Abu Dhabi since 2020, when Ewec awarded Japan’s Marubeni Corporation the contract to develop the Fujairah 3 IPP.
The bid evaluation process is under way for the Madinat Zayed open-cycle gas turbine IPP. The power plant is expected to begin commercial operations in Q3 2027. It will provide up to 1,500MW of backup generation, which can be operational “at very short notice”.
The tendering proceedings are under way for three renewable energy IPPs: the Al-Khazna and Al-Zarraf solar PV and Al-Sila wind facilities, and Abu Dhabi’s first independent battery energy storage system plant, Bess 1.
READ THE APRIL 2025 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – clck here to view PDF
Regional construction heads underground; Riyadh reaps both diplomatic and economic success; Luxury GCC hospitality projects drive tourism
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the April 2025 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
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> AGENDA 1: Traffic drives construction underground
> AGENDA 2: Muted public spending hinders global tunnelling
> TOURISM 1: Beaches and luxury drive regional tourism
> TOURISM 2: Region’s hotel projects pipeline balloons
> EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD: Investing in Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure opportunities
> DATA CENTRES: GCC’s top five data centre projects
> SAUDI PPPs: Rise in PPPs reflects Saudi budgetary pragmatism
> SAUDI ARABIA REPORT: Riyadh enjoys buoyant fortunes
> GULF PROJECTS INDEX: Gulf index sees minor correction
> CONTRACT AWARDS: Project awards slump notably in February
> ECONOMIC DATA: Data drives regional projects
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Neom cancels The Line tunnels contracts16 March 2026
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Modon launches Tara Park on Abu Dhabi’s Reem Island16 March 2026
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Saudi Arabia allows Hail airport bidders more time16 March 2026
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Neom cancels The Line tunnels contracts
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Neom has cancelled the contracts related to the construction of the tunnel sections of The Line in northwest Saudi Arabia.
In a stock exchange announcement filed on 13 March, South Korean contractor Hyundai E&C said that Neom cancelled its contract on 29 December last year.
Hyundai E&C was executing the drill-and-blast section of The Line’s tunnels in a joint venture with Greece’s Archirodon and South Korean counterpart Samsung C&T.
The firm said its share of the joint venture was about 35%, amounting to $483m.
Neom awarded contracts for constructing the mountain tunnel sections of The Line in June 2022.
The drill-and-blast works were split into four packages, with two contracting teams winning two packages each.
The other joint-venture team comprised Spain’s FCC, the local Shibh Al-Jazira Contracting Company (Sajco) and Beijing-based China State Construction Engineering Corporation.
The tunnels formed part of the infrastructure backbone of Neom’s 170-kilometre The Line development, launched in January 2021.
What began as Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s defining symbol of a post-oil Saudi Arabia unravelled with quiet finality over roughly two years. By April 2024, planners were reportedly being forced to cut the initial phase to just 2.4km by 2030.
By July last year, with the sovereign wealth fund facing tightening liquidity, the kingdom was reported to have conducted a “strategic review” to determine whether The Line was feasible – a process described as a “recalibration” of Vision 2030.
Resources are now being directed to projects essential for the Fifa World Cup 2034, Expo 2030, and critical housing, healthcare and education targets.
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Bidders get more time for Riyadh East sewage treatment plant
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The new deadline is 30 June. The original deadline was 2 April.
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The request for proposals (RFP) was issued last October.
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ISTP plans
Sharakat’s current ISTP portfolio includes 10 large plants that are operational, under construction or under tendering, with a combined initial treatment capacity of 1.79 million cm/d.
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The company is also pursuing a nationwide small sewage treatment plant programme covering about 139 smaller ISTPs grouped into seven clusters.
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Abu Dhabi-based Modon Holding has launched the Tara Park residential project in the Reem Island area.
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The development includes a 527-metre jogging track.
The latest project launch follows Modon Holding’s launch of the Bashayer residential waterfront community on Hudayriyat Island.
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Jordan begins prequalification for Amman water project
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