EWEC issues Request for Proposals for developing Al Nouf Independent Power Producer
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD) The Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of the Al Nouf Independent Power Producer (IPP) project, the largest single-site carbon-capture-ready Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) plant in the UAE.Al Nouf will be located within the newly established Al Nouf Complex, a coastal site strategically designated to become a major hub for power and water production in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.The state-of-the-art plant is designed to deliver world-class efficiency, operational flexibility, and lower emissions, supporting the UAE's long-term decarbonisation agenda.The Al Nouf Complex will play a pivotal role in the UAE's energy and water security, with the site carefully selected for its strategic coastal location and ability to accommodate both seawater-cooled power generation and reverse osmosis (RO) desalination technologies. Designed with long-term scalability in mind, the complex features ample space and infrastructure capacity to support multiple utility-scale energy and desalination projects in the future.This integrated planning approach underscores EWEC's commitment to developing energy clusters that deliver synergies in performance, efficiency, and environmental sustainability.EWEC is strategically accelerating the UAE's energy transition to a decarbonised system, with the advanced and efficient Al Nouf providing transitional capacity to support the integration of large-scale renewable energy and provide additional flexibility during periods of peak power demand. Flexible and high-efficiency gas-fired plants, such as Al Nouf, will be crucial for ensuring the security of supply while the country's energy sector transforms into a renewable and clean-focused industry.As part of the IPP programme, the project is expected to support Emiratisation targets by facilitating the inclusion of UAE Nationals across key roles, thereby supporting national workforce development goals.Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC, said, 'The development of Al Nouf power plant is a key component of EWEC's long-term strategy to deliver a flexible, efficient, and decarbonised energy system. As we accelerate the integration of renewable and clean energy into the grid, advanced natural gas-fired capacity will play an essential role in ensuring system reliability and balancing intermittency."Al Nouf's strategic location and high-efficiency design will enhance our ability to meet future demand while supporting the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. We look forward to engaging with qualified developers and advancing this important project.'Al Nouf will closely follow the model of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi's successful IPP programme, where developers enter into a long-term agreement with EWEC as the sole procurer.It will involve the development, financing, construction, operation, maintenance, and ownership of the plant, with the successful developer or developer consortium owning up to 40 per cent of the entity. The remaining equity will be held indirectly by the Abu Dhabi Government.Expected to begin commercial operations in Q3 2029, Al Nouf's efficient natural gas turbine technology will generate up to 3.3 gigawatts of electricity.The RFP shared with bidders outlines comprehensive requirements and technical parameters, encouraging the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) where relevant to improve plant performance, operational efficiency, and predictive maintenance.The project is also expected to leverage state-of-the-art technologies, including digital twinning and advanced monitoring systems, to optimise lifecycle performance and system resilience. Responses to the RFP are expected in Q4 2025.
To ensure efficient and timely project development following the award, EWEC has proactively reserved gas turbines for Al Nouf. This early-stage action will enable the rapid mobilisation of resources and reinforce EWEC's ability to meet future power demand while maintaining system reliability and supporting the UAE Energy Strategy 2050.
Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
10 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence begins new academic year with largest-ever cohort of 400+ students
16 Aug 2025 13:16 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has welcomed its largest ever cohort for its Fall 2025 intake, enrolling 403 new new batch includes its inaugural undergraduate class, new graduate cohorts in existing programmes in Computer Science, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and Robotics, and the first intakes into the Master of Science in Statistics & Data Science and Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence. Fall 2025 received more than 8,000 applications across the university's bachelor's and graduate programmes, yielding an acceptance rate of 5 per cent, and reinforcing the university's prestigious position and ability to attract the best talent in the UAE and from around the Baldwin, MBZUAI Provost and Professor of Natural Language Processing, said: 'This year, MBZUAI welcomes our largest cohort of graduate students alongside our inaugural undergraduate class. Artificial intelligence is transforming the world at a pace that vastly outstrips traditional education models. To realise its full global potential, MBZUAI invests heavily in reviewing and updating our programmes to reflect modern AI research methodology and workflows, based on our bleeding-edge AI research credentials and grounded in societal and industrial needs."As a young institution, MBZUAI has already earned a place among the world's top 10 AI universities based on our research credentials. With the introduction of our undergraduate and Master's in Applied AI programmes, we continue to build world-leading programmes aligned with the UAE's National Strategy for AI 2031 and supporting Abu Dhabi's rapidly growing AI ecosystem.'The newly launched Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence programme offers two streams, AI for Business and AI for Engineering, combining technical rigour with leadership, hands-on entrepreneurship, and in-situ industry experience. The first class consists of 115 undergraduate students from more than 25 countries, over 25 per cent of which are UAE Baldwin said: 'The jobs of tomorrow are being shaped by AI today and we must ensure that future generations are equipped with the tools and skills to navigate that shift. Our extraordinarily talented students don't just learn about AI, but learn with it, through it, and for it. This is an extraordinary value proposition across all our programmes, but especially for our undergraduate students, who will be studying towards a bachelor's degree in AI that I believe sets a new global benchmark in terms of technical depth, real-world relevance, and the high-end AI job-readiness of the students.'The key highlights for the Fall 2025 intake includes MBZUAI's total student body totalling more than 700, representing over 47 represented by MBZUAI's undergraduate students include Bulgaria, China, Egypt, Georgia, Greece, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, the UAE and the UK. Postgraduate programmes bring together students from Canada, China, Egypt, France, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Serbia, UAE, UK, USA and Vietnam. MBZUAI continues to attract exceptional students, with 151 of the incoming graduate students (27.5 per cent) holding degrees from the world's top 100 computer science universities (CSRankings), including Cornell University, Tsinghua University, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of California, San welcoming the new students, MBZUAI has begun its immersive orientation week, introducing new students to the university's culture of academic excellence, AI-driven innovation, and community engagement. The programme combines academic sessions, mentorship activities, and cultural programming celebrating UAE heritage and life in Abu Dhabi. Highlights include the Orientation Mini Fair, where internal and external partners showcase resources for academic success, career development, and student life. Orientation Week is designed to foster a strong sense of belonging and connection, laying the foundation for academic success and life-changing university experiences. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
The National
a day ago
- The National
Emiratis can renew UAE passports up to a year before they expire in travel rule update
Emiratis will be able to renew their passports up to a year before they expire from Monday. The extended period – up from the previous six months – was announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Most countries require visitors to have at least six months left on their passports to be allowed to travel. There are some exceptions, with New Zealand, Iceland, Sweden and Albania requiring three months. 'The move aims to improve citizens' quality of life by enabling them to plan overseas travel in advance, complete necessary procedures seamlessly and expand the use of digital official documents,' said ICP director Ali Al Shamsi. 'It is also part of the authority's strategy to provide proactive and innovative government services.' The UAE passport continues to rank among the world's most powerful and trusted travel documents, he added. It moved into the top 10 of the Henley Passport Index for the first time in 2024. The country was ranked ninth with visa-free access to 185 countries, an increase of 152 countries since the index began in 2006. 'The new order will further strengthen the UAE passport's global standing and set a benchmark for passport issuance and renewal systems worldwide,' he said. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai renewed 7,425 UAE passports during the first half of 2025. The centre has issued 139,000 passports for Emiratis since its inauguration in 2008.
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
FANR launches Nuclear and Radiation Excellence Award
15 Aug 2025 13:11 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) has officially launched the Nuclear and Radiation Excellence Award to honour exceptional individuals and organisations advancing the fields of nuclear and radiation across the national platform aims to recognise and celebrate excellence, from a Nuclear and Radiation regulatory perspective, in safety, innovation, leadership, and impactful contribution, in line with FANR's mission to protect the public and the award also supports the goals of the 'We the UAE 2031' vision, which emphasises national pride, an innovation-driven economy, human capital development in critical sectors, and environmental award applies to individuals and organisations across the nuclear, medical, industrial, and academic features five distinct categories: Best Research, Outstanding Professional, Future Leader, Best Innovation, and Outstanding Project or Initiative. These categories reflect the full spectrum of contributions made by professionals and institutions working to ensure the safety, progress, and sustainability of this vital sector.'The Nuclear and Radiation Excellence Award reflects our commitment to safety, innovation, and leadership. It honours the more than 20,000 professionals driving this vital sector and inspires the next generation to uphold the highest standards in protecting people and the environment,' said FANR's Director-General, Christer invites all eligible stakeholders across the UAE's nuclear and radiation ecosystem to submit their nominations and participate in this landmark initiative. By celebrating outstanding achievements, the award contributes to elevating sector standards and reinforcing the UAE's global leadership in peaceful nuclear development. Nominations are open until November 29, 2025, through the official award portal. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
