Latest news with #EWEC
Zawya
27-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Abu Dhabi awards contract for 1.5GW Zarraf Solar PV IPP project
A consortium comprising EDF Power Solutions and Korea Western Power Company (KOWEPO) have signed a joint development agreement (JDA) for the 1.5 gigawatts (GW) Al Zarraf PV solar Independent Power Producer (IPP) project in Abu Dhabi. Zarraf Solar PV will be Emirates Water and Electricity Company's (EWEC) and Abu Dhabi's fifth utility-scale solar PV project. The project will significantly contribute to EWEC's, the Abu Dhabi-based off-taker of water and electricity across the UAE, strategic plan to increase Abu Dhabi's solar power capacity to at least 10 gigawatts-ac GWac by 2030, EWEC said in a statement released in January. By 2035, EWEC forecasts that at least 18GW of solar PV will be in operation, supporting the realisation of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy's Clean Energy Strategic Target 2035 for Electricity Production. (Writing by P Deol; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
Trade Arabia
08-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Al-Futtaim IKEA, EWEC deal to power stores with renewable energy
EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company), a leading company in the integrated coordination of planning, purchasing, supply, and Al-Futtaim IKEA, the leading Swedish home furnishing retailer in the region, have announced a clean energy partnership to reduce emissions and advance sustainable business operations in the UAE. Through this partnership, all four Al-Futtaim IKEA stores in Abu Dhabi will be powered by renewable energy from EWEC. And, EWEC will provide Al-Futtaim IKEA with Clean Energy Certificates (CECs) to cover 100 per cent of the electricity consumed across the four stores. Issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), CECs are the only accredited instruments in Abu Dhabi that certify electricity consumption is sourced from renewable and clean energy generation. This milestone marks a significant step forward in Al-Futtaim IKEA's efforts to reduce Scope 2 emissions and operate in a more environmentally responsible manner. The partnership reflects a growing movement among private sector leaders to align with national decarbonisation goals and contribute meaningfully to the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. As organisations increasingly seek to embed sustainability into their core operations, the use of CECs is proving to be a credible and transparent way to measure and verify clean energy usage. Francois Brice, Executive Director of Commercial and Fuel Management, said: 'Our partnership with Al-Futtaim IKEA highlights the critical role that corporate leadership plays in accelerating the UAE's clean energy transition. By sourcing 100 per cent of the electricity for its Abu Dhabi stores from renewable energy, Al-Futtaim IKEA is setting a clear example of how environmentally conscious business decisions can support broader national sustainability targets. At EWEC, we are committed to enabling decarbonisation across all sectors by providing access to internationally recognised Clean Energy Certificates that support real emissions reductions and deliver verified environmental impact.' Vinod Jayan, Managing Director of Al-Futtaim IKEA UAE, Qatar, Egypt & Oman, said: 'The UAE is well underway to achieving its clean energy transformation, backed by ambitious visions including its Energy Strategy 2050 and Net Zero 2050 Strategy. We're pleased to be partnering with EWEC in further contributing to the nation's progress. EWEC has already, time and again, proven their dedication to a clean energy future, and therefore we are confident in the success of this partnership. 'We recognise how transparency and credibility are non-negotiables when it comes to truly implementing clean energy. And, that aside strong support from the UAE's leadership, corporate leaders hold a critical responsibility in helping achieve wider missions through smaller, yet consistent actionable steps. Through this agreement, we look forward to continuing to make real progress and deliver verified impact.' Issued by the DoE in units of one megawatt-hour (MWh), CEC certificates comply with the internationally recognised standards of the International Renewable Energy Certificate Standard Foundation (I-REC Standard) and verify ownership of the environmental and economic benefits derived from renewable or clean energy consumption. CECs allow both companies and individuals in Abu Dhabi to make credible renewable and clean energy claims, measure progress against sustainability targets, and contribute meaningfully to the decarbonisation of Abu Dhabi's economy.
Zawya
05-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Al-Futtaim IKEA concludes Earth Weeks campaign with bold sustainability commitments
Al-Futtaim IKEA's six-week "Earth Weeks" campaign highlighted sustainable habits at home, including energy saving, recycling, and reducing food waste. The company announced the recent LEED Gold certification of three of its stores, along with a strategic partnership with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company. United Arab Emirates: Al-Futtaim IKEA, the Swedish home furnishing retailer with a three-decade presence in the UAE, announced its new sustainability initiatives and targets for 2025 during an event at its Yas Mall store in Abu Dhabi, where it also celebrated the success of its recent "Earth Weeks" campaign. The event, attended by Francois Brice, Fuel & Commercial Executive Director at EWEC, and members of the Department of Community Development, Department of Energy and EWEC. The event featured presentations by Pooja Dhingra, Regional Sustainability Manager of Al-Futtaim IKEA, and Ouateil Sgheir, Market Manager of Abu Dhabi, who discussed both the brand's global ambitions and local impact. From Awareness to Action: Earth Weeks Campaign The event also spotlighted Al-Futtaim IKEA's successful initiatives and campaigns during "Earth Weeks"—the brand's six-week, sustainability-focused period from mid-March to the end of April. Engaging customers and colleagues in climate-conscious practices under the theme of 'Start at Home,' the campaign promoted practical, everyday actions, like energy saving, reducing food waste, recycling, and reusing, as the building blocks of sustainable living. Reflecting the positive impact of these efforts, sales of sustainable products doubled during this period—demonstrating that sustainability is not only achievable but also accessible and affordable. One of the campaign's most creative activations, the 'Switch-Off Trade Off', reimagined Earth Hour by having Al-Futtaim IKEA employees turn off lights in the offices and showrooms on behalf of community members who were tied up with essential tasks. Another highlight, 'Wait for the Drop,' introduced a unique online playlist with tracks mimicking the sound of running water, promoting mindful water use in bathrooms. Additional moments included celebrating Mother's Day by honouring mothers as the original sustainability heroes, recognising their everyday efforts in nurturing both family and the planet. Clean Energy Milestones Al-Futtaim IKEA also announced three stores, located in Fujairah, Al Ain, and Dalma Mall in Abu Dhabi, have achieved LEED Gold certification. This recognition highlights the implementation of eco-friendly practices across the locations, including 10% lower energy consumption, 55% water savings, improved indoor air quality, and significant progress in waste reduction and recycling. On May 2, 2025, Al-Futtaim IKEA reiterated its long-term sustainability commitment by announcing a strategic partnership with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company. Through the agreement, EWEC will provide IKEA UAE with Clean Energy Certificates (CECs) to cover 100 per cent of the electricity consumed across its four stores in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), CECs are the only accredited instruments in Abu Dhabi that certify electricity consumption is sourced from renewable and clean energy generation. This milestone marks a significant step forward in IKEA UAE's efforts to reduce scope 2 emissions and operate in a more environmentally responsible manner. Vinod Jayan, Managing Director of Al-Futtaim IKEA UAE, Egypt, Oman and Qatar, commented: 'At Al-Futtaim IKEA, sustainability is central to how we operate, innovate, and serve our communities. We believe that sustainable living should be simple, affordable, and accessible to all. Our Earth Weeks campaign reflects our responsibility to lead by example in the region, protect the planet's most vital resources, and empower the many people to be part of this journey. Change starts at home—but its impact extends far beyond.' He continued: 'This commitment to long-term change is demonstrated by the actions we're taking across our operations to reduce environmental impact. Over the past year, our fleet of electric trucks has helped us avoid 29 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, equivalent to the emissions of seven passenger cars driven for a year. We're also making significant progress in food waste reduction. By using anaerobic digesters in two of our stores, we divert 160 tonnes of food waste from landfills each year, saving CO₂ emissions equivalent to the energy required to power 98 homes for an entire year. As a business proudly rooted in the UAE's success, we're fully aligned with the country's Environment Vision 2030.' Empowering Future Sustainability Leaders On Earth Day, Al-Futtaim IKEA welcomed members of Masdar's Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) community for the first in a series of collaborative sessions focused on practical sustainability. Hosted in partnership with the Al-Futtaim Youth Council and Sustainability Team, the first session at IKEA Yas Island, Abu Dhabi explored circular economy and sustainable living, featuring an interactive store tour, a waste-sorting workshop, and a blind tasting experience. These sessions form part of a broader knowledge exchange initiative between Al-Futtaim IKEA and Y4S, designed to empower the next generation of sustainability leaders through real-world insights and collaborative dialogue. Strengthening Biodiversity and Water Commitments Al-Futtaim IKEA's sustainability targets are aligned with Inter IKEA's global ambitions, focusing on reducing environmental impact across the value chain, strengthening ecosystems, and driving positive societal change in collaboration with customers, partners, and policymakers. Inter IKEA is also advancing its sustainability agenda with a strong focus on water stewardship, working to reduce freshwater use, improving water quality, and ensuring access to clean water in high-risk areas across its value chain, efforts that will enhance water resilience for both ecosystems and communities. Looking Ahead Building on the Earth Weeks campaign, Al-Futtaim IKEA is entering a new chapter of sustainability, rooted in action, accountability, and collaboration. The company remains committed to creating a positive impact not only within its stores and supply chain, but also across the wider community, making sustainable living a reality for the many. About IKEA UAE IKEA UAE, a member of Al-Futtaim group of companies, offers an extensive range of home furnishing products & accessories of good design, value and functionality. In the UAE for 30 years, the IKEA stores in Dubai Festival City, Festival Plaza in Jebel Ali, Yas Island and Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi closely follow the popular self-serve and self-assembly concept which was conceived in Sweden over half a century ago. IKEA serves a wide choice of refreshments at the IKEA Restaurant and Café. The Customer Ordering and Collection Point in Al Ain offers residents easy access to well-designed products at a great price. Customers can also join the IKEA FAMILY loyalty programme to avail of great offers and extended services on every visit to the store. Toll free number for the world-famous brand is 800 4532 (800 IKEA). About Al-Futtaim Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and health; employing more than 33,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, we partner with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim's entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enable the organisation to continue to grow and expand, responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate. By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration, and integrity, Al-Futtaim continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers every day.
Trade Arabia
28-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
EWEC, firms agree reconfiguration and extension of Shuweihat 1
EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company), a leading company in the integrated planning, purchasing, supply, and system despatch services of water and electricity across the UAE, today announced the signing of a power purchase agreement (PPA) for the Shuweihat 1 (S1) power project. In support of EWEC's strategic acceleration of Abu Dhabi and the UAE's energy transition, under the terms of the PPA, S1 will be reconfigured from a cogeneration power and water desalination facility to a power plant only, providing flexible reserve supply to support the increased integration of renewable and clean energy sources, said a statement. Located in Al Dhafra region, approximately 250 km from Abu Dhabi City, S1 has been in operation since 2005, under a 20-year Power and Water Purchase Agreement which was due to conclude in 2025. Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) owns 60 per cent of the plant, with Engie, a French multinational electric utility company, and Sumitomo, a leading Japanese integrated trading company, each holding 20 per cent. The companies will also continue to take on the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the plant, with TAQA owning 30 per cent of the O&M company, while Engie and Sumitomo will own 35 per cent each. Under the new PPA, and in support of EWEC's decoupling of power and water supply, the water desalination, fuelled by natural gas, will be decommissioned. S1 will then be converted to a natural gas-fired open-cycle power plant only, providing up to 1.1 gigawatts of flexible reserve supply for 15 years, with commercial operations beginning from 2027. The reconfiguration and extension of S1 facilitates the UAE's transition towards net zero whilst also maintaining reliability during peak power demand periods. The flexible operation of the plant in support of increased renewable and clean energy sources also ensures minimal carbon emissions.
Zawya
28-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
EWEC announces signing of Power Purchase Agreement for Shuweihat 1
EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company), a leading company in the integrated planning, purchasing, supply, and system despatch services of water and electricity across the UAE, today announced the signing of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the Shuweihat 1 (S1) power project. In support of EWEC's strategic acceleration of Abu Dhabi and the UAE's energy transition, under the terms of the PPA, S1 will be reconfigured from a cogeneration power and water desalination facility to a power plant only, providing flexible reserve supply to support the increased integration of renewable and clean energy sources. Located in Al Dhafra region, approximately 250 kilometres from Abu Dhabi City, S1 has been in operation since 2005, under a 20-year Power and Water Purchase Agreement which was due to conclude in 2025. Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) owns 60 percent of the plant, with ENGIE, a French multinational electric utility company, and Sumitomo, a leading Japanese integrated trading company, each holding 20 percent. The companies will also continue to take on the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the plant, with TAQA owning 30 per cent of the O&M company, while ENGIE and Sumitomo will own 35 per cent each. Under the new PPA, and in support of EWEC's decoupling of power and water supply, the water desalination, fuelled by natural gas, will be decommissioned. S1 will then be converted to a natural gas-fired open-cycle power plant only, providing up to 1.1 gigawatts of flexible reserve supply for 15 years, with commercial operations beginning from 2027. The reconfiguration and extension of S1 facilitates the UAE's transition towards net zero whilst also maintaining reliability during peak power demand periods. The flexible operation of the plant in support of increased renewable and clean energy sources also ensures minimal carbon emissions. Mohamed Al Marzooqi, Chief Asset Development & Management Officer of EWEC, said, 'The S1 extension project highlights our collaboration with international partners to enable continued investment in utility-scale assets that support EWEC's pivotal role in driving the UAE's energy transition to a more sustainable future. By strategically reconfiguring this power plant we are maximising the efficient use of existing infrastructure to deliver reliable, flexible power supply while reducing carbon emissions associated with the project. Utilising natural gas as a flexible transition fuel enables the accelerated integration of renewable and clean energy projects, such as solar and wind, into the energy mix, and preserves resources. Through these initiatives, EWEC is accelerating substantial reductions in the carbon intensity of our energy systems and reinforcing the UAE's leadership in sustainable energy innovation and resilience.' Andreas Collor, Chief Operations Officer, TAQA's Generation business, said, 'We are pleased to extend the operations of the S1 Independent Power Plant, a critical utility project in Abu Dhabi that will continue to provide flexible and reliable power supply to the grid. Flexible gas power generation plays a critical role in the energy mix as a more diverse mix of renewables and clean power sources is brought online. S1 will provide power as and when needed to support increased demand spikes and the integration of renewables as Abu Dhabi works towards accelerating the energy transition whilst ensuring a reliable supply of power.' Niko Cornelis, ENGIE's GCC Managing Director, said, 'ENGIE is proud to reaffirm our commitment to the UAE and its forward-looking approach to the energy transition. The S1 project marks a significant milestone in our historical presence in the UAE as it perfectly aligns with our Group's vision that flexible, low-carbon intense gas-powered assets are key to ensure grid security amidst the remarkable advance of renewable power generation. Through collaboration with our partners, we are leveraging innovation and expertise to drive the development of efficient and affordable low-carbon energy systems.' Jun Minase, Head of Overseas Energy Solution Strategic Business Unit, Sumitomo Corporation, said, 'We are deeply honoured to continuously be involved and play a pivotal role in the S1 extension project, which is expected to be crucial for the energy transition in the UAE, a country pursuing Net Zero by 2050."
