meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

Abu Dhabi receives bids for Al-Khazna solar IPP

15 October 2024

 

Abu Dhabi state utility Emirates Water & Electricity Company (Ewec) has received proposals from companies for a contract to develop the emirate's fourth utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) project.

The Al-Khazna solar independent power producer (IPP) project, also known as PV4, will have an installed capacity of 1,500MW.

According to industry sources, utility developers including a team of China's Jinko Power and Japan's Jera, and another team led by France's EDF Renewables, submitted bids for the contract. It is unclear whether Engie, also of France, submitted a proposal for the contract.

MEED understands that Ewec has yet to open the bids it received on 14 October.

The solar IPP project will be located in Khazna, between Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain, and is expected to be commercially operational by 2027.

Ewec requested proposals for the contract to develop and operate the solar IPP scheme in April and initially set the end of August as the last day for bidders to submit their proposals.

The state utility prequalified nine companies and consortiums as managing members and another 10 that can bid as consortium members.

Parties or companies prequalified as managing members are free to bid individually or as part of a consortium. These include:

  • Acwa Power (Saudi Arabia)
  • EDF Renewables (France)
  • International Power (Engie, France)
  • Jera Company (Japan)
  • Jinko Power (China)
  • Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kowepo, South Korea)
  • Marubeni Corporation (Japan)
  • Sumitomo Corporation (Japan)
  • TotalEnergies Renewables (France)

The following companies can bid as part of a consortium with a managing member: 

  • Al-Jomaih Energy & Water (Jenwa, Saudi Arabia)
  • Avaada Energy (India)
  • Buhur for Investment Company (Saudi Arabia)
  • China Machinery Engineering Corporation (China)
  • China Power Engineering Consulting Group International Engineering Corporation (CPECC, China)
  • Kalyon Enerji Yatrimlari (Turkiye)
  • Korea Western Power Company (Kowepo, South Korea)
  • Orascom Construction (Egypt)
  • PowerChina International Group
  • Spic Huanghe Hydropower Development (Spic, China)

A transaction advisory team comprising UK-headquartered Ashurst and Alderbrook Finance and Norwegian engineering services firm DNV is advising Ewec on the 1,500MW Al-Khazna IPP scheme.

Solar energy is integral to achieving Abu Dhabi's target of producing nearly 50% of its electricity from renewable and clean energy sources by 2030.

In April, Ewec awarded the contract to develop PV3, the 1,500MW Al-Ajban solar IPP, to a team led by EDF Renewables and including South Korea’s Korea Western Power Company (Kowepo).

A team of Japan's Marubeni and Jinko Power won the contract to develop and operate Abu Dhabi's first utility-scale solar PV project in 2016 in Sweihan, the 934MW Noor Abu Dhabi IPP.

In 2020, a team comprising EDF Renewables and Jinko Power won the contract to develop the 1,500MW Al-Dhafra solar PV, which was inaugurated last year.

Like the first three schemes, the Khazna solar PV project will involve the development, financing, construction, operation, maintenance and ownership of the plant and associated infrastructure.

The successful developer or developer consortium will own up to 40% of the entity, while the Abu Dhabi government will retain the remaining equity.

The developer will enter into a long-term power-purchase agreement with Ewec.

Once fully operational, the Khazna solar PV, along with Noor Abu Dhabi, the Al-Dhafra solar PV and Al-Ajban solar PV, will raise Ewec's total installed solar PV capacity to 5.5GW and collectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 8.2 million metric tonnes a year by 2027. 

On 1 October, Ewec issued the expressions of interest notice for a contract to develop the emirate's fifth solar PV in Al-Zarraf.

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/12720662/main5528.jpg
Jennifer Aguinaldo

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Firms submit bids for second Hassyan SWRO pipeline contract

    22 July 2026

    Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa) has received bids from three contractors for a second pipeline contract relating to the Hassyan seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) network expansion.

    Project two requires contractors to supply, install, test and commission glass-reinforced epoxy (GRE) water transmission pipelines and associated works for the plant's phase two network.

    Local firm Tristar Engineering & Construction submitted the lowest offer of AED792.59m ($215.8m), according to tender results published by the state utility.

    Green Oasis General Contracting (UAE) submitted a bid of AED800.02m ($217.8m) and Wade Adams Contracting (UAE) made the other compliant offer of AED989.65m ($269.5m).

    In January, Dewa announced that construction of the 180-million-imperial-gallon-a-day phase one of the Hassyan SWRO independent water project was 90% complete.

    Earlier in July, eight contractors submitted bids for project one of the Hassyan pipeline network expansion.

    Dewa also has a third contract out for tender for GRE water transmission pipeline work related to the Hassyan SWRO phase two network.

    Project three was tendered on 26 January and has a bid submission deadline of 29 July.

    READ THE JULY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Stress test for Gulf aviation; Mixed performance as country outlooks diverge in the Levant; GCC tourism sector pivots from crisis to recovery mode.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the July 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17723861/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Riyadh seeks contractors for Expo Icon structure

    22 July 2026

     

    Expo 2030 Riyadh Company (ERC), which is tasked with delivering the Expo 2030 Riyadh venue, has asked contractors to express interest in the construction of the Icon, one of the key landmarks at the site.

    The structure will be located at the entrance of the Expo 2030 Riyadh site, within the Collaboration Precinct.

    ERC issued the expressions of interest notice on 20 July. The deadline for submissions of interest is 23 July.

    The structure will be connected to the metro station and will serve as a gateway to the event.

    It will be 66 metres tall and will comprise an observation platform, food and beverage outlets and other features.

    The total built-up area will be approximately 16,279 square metres and it will be able to accommodate more than 1,450 visitors an hour during the event.

    The contract duration is 29 months from the start of construction.

    ERC tendered the contract for the construction of the Saudi Arabia pavilion at the site in May.

    The pavilion is a major asset located within the venue's KSA District, on the eastern side of the Expo 2030 Riyadh masterplan, within the Loop of Nations district.

    Construction progress

    The tendering of the pavilion structure followed swift progress on the site’s infrastructure development works.

    In April, ERC awarded two contracts for the next phase of infrastructure works at the site to local firm Al-Yamama Company.

    The scope covered the construction of road networks and infrastructure for water, sewage, electricity, telecommunications and electric vehicle charging.

    These awards followed ERC’s January award of an estimated SR1bn ($267m) contract for initial infrastructure works at the site to local firm Nesma & Partners. That scope covered about 50 kilometres of integrated infrastructure networks, including internal roads and essential utilities such as water, sewage, electrical and communications systems, and electric vehicle charging stations.

    The overall infrastructure works – covering the construction of main utilities and civil works at Expo 2030 Riyadh – are split into three packages:

    • Lot 1 covers the main utilities corridor;
    • Lot 2 includes the northern cluster of the nature corridor;
    • Lot 3 comprises the southern cluster of the nature corridor. 

    The masterplan encompasses an area of 6 square kilometres, making it one of the largest sites ever designated for a World Expo event. Situated to the north of the Saudi capital, the site will be located near the future King Salman International airport and will provide direct access to landmarks within Riyadh.

    The Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth vehicle, launched ERC – a wholly owned subsidiary – in June 2025 to build and operate facilities for Expo 2030.

    READ THE JULY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Stress test for Gulf aviation; Mixed performance as country outlooks diverge in the Levant; GCC tourism sector pivots from crisis to recovery mode.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the July 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17723204/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • EtihadWE tenders $150m Ajman substation project

    21 July 2026

    The UAE’s Etihad Water & Electricity (EtihadWE) has tendered a contract to build three new substations in Ajman.

    Estimated to cost $150m, the project involves the construction of three new 132/11kV substations in the Bahya, Rumaila and Liwara districts. It also includes associated 132kV underground cabling works to connect the substations to the existing transmission network.

    The bid submission deadline is 10 August.

    According to tender documents, the project will add distribution capacity to support load growth and improve the security of electricity supply in the emirate.

    The scope of work includes site preparation, construction of three substation buildings and foundations, installation of 132kV GIS/AIS switchgear, 132/11kV power transformers and 11kV switchgear, as well as protection, control, Scada and telecommunications systems.

    Etihad WE is responsible for electricity and water services in Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Ras Al-Khaimah, Fujairah and parts of Sharjah. The utility has been investing in new substations and transmission infrastructure as electricity demand continues to increase across the Northern Emirates.

    This includes a 132/33/11kV substation project on Al-Marjan Island in Ras Al-Khaimah. Construction work is ongoing on the project, with Maetal Dubai serving as the main contractor.

    EtihadWE is also finalising a new masterplan that will cover network capacity requirements and expansion priorities for the next 10 to 15 years.

    In June, Abdulla Al-Khemeiri, chief operations officer, told MEED: “We are currently reviewing it, and we need to obtain shareholder approval first. Once it is approved, it will be released, hopefully by the end of the year.” 

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17710661/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Seven seeks contractors for Dammam water park and hotel

    21 July 2026

     

    Saudi Entertainment Ventures (Seven), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, is preparing to shortlist general contractors for the main construction package of its Dammam Water Park & Hotel project in the Al-Hamra district.

    The waterfront development sits on a 324,300-square-metre (sq m) plot.

    A notice was issued to contractors in July, and the client is expected to finalise the shortlist by the end of this month.

    Seven is seeking firms capable of delivering a lump-sum, turnkey solution for both the water park and a 321-key lifestyle hotel. Construction is expected to take 24 months from contract award.

    The water park is designed around five themed zones and will feature what is billed as the world’s first double-tornado/triple-wave waterslide.

    The park will include 21 major rides and attractions, 21 food and beverage outlets, 66 cabanas, parking for 1,100 vehicles and a daily peak capacity of 4,500 guests.

    Slide procurement has already been completed directly by Seven. The selected contractor will be responsible for locally sourcing slide towers, integrating them with rockwork and secondary steel, and installing the units.

    Detailed design and issued-for-construction packages are complete.

    Marine works, piling, dewatering and site utilities are being progressed separately by the existing early works contractor.

    The hotel component covers roughly 31,700 sq m of gross floor area and will offer 321 guest rooms, four F&B outlets, spa and wellness facilities, a family pool, and meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition space.

    The new contractor’s scope includes superstructure concrete works, façade and roof works, mechanical, electrical and plumbing, interior fit-out and landscaping.

    Seven will consider only contractors with demonstrated experience delivering water parks with complex aquatics, theming and rockwork – either directly or through clearly defined subcontractor partnerships – along with a track record in high-end turnkey hotel fit-outs.

    Construction of Seven’s Dammam entertainment complex is currently under way. In October 2023, Saudi Binladin Group won contracts worth around SR5bn ($1.3bn) from Seven to build two entertainment destinations in the Dammam and Al-Khobar areas of the Kingdom’s Eastern Province.

    The Al-Khobar entertainment complex is being built on reclaimed waterfront land. The complex spans around 300,000 sq m and is also known as ‘The Waves’.

    The Dammam entertainment complex spans 360,000 sq m and is being built on reclaimed land on the Dammam waterfront.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17710096/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Al-Ula appoints equestrian village early works contractor

    21 July 2026

     

    Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for Al-Ula (RCU) has awarded a contract for early construction works at the Al-Muatadil Equestrian Village.

    The contract was awarded to Al-Khobar-based Al-Shalawi International Company.

    Canadian engineering firm AtkinsRealis is the project management consultant. UK-headquartered Baker Wilkins & Smith and local firm Al-Hoty Company are the cost consultants.

    Dubai-based SSH is the supervision consultant, and UK-based Hopkins Architects is the lead design consultant.

    RCU announced the project plans in March 2023, including the development of an equestrian hub with two arenas that can accommodate 5,000 and 1,400 spectators, respectively.

    The venue will also include grass polo, sand polo and endurance facilities, with capacities of 600, 400 and 600 seats, respectively.

    These facilities will be complemented by visitor amenities, two stable compounds with capacity for 740 horses, and accommodation and retail outlets for event participants and workers.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17710170/main.jpeg
    Yasir Iqbal