As part of its energy shift, the UAE embraces renewable sources, reshaping its economic and environmental landscape.

Most recently, Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) announced its plans to bolster Abu Dhabi’s energy grid with a new 400-megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS). 

The company issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to select developers for the project, which will provide up to 800 megawatt-hours of storage capacity.

The project is a cornerstone of EWEC’s ambitious plan to reduce carbon emissions and enhance the reliability of Abu Dhabi’s electricity supply. 

The battery system will help balance the grid by storing excess energy generated by solar panels, especially during peak demand periods.

BESS technology will provide essential services like frequency response and voltage regulation. 

It will help EWEC expand its solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity to 7.5 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and reduce the carbon dioxide intensity of its power supply from 330 kg/MWh in 2019 to an estimated 190 kg/MWh by 2030.

Over 90 companies expressed interest in the project, with 27 cutting to the next stage. EWEC is aiming to select a developer by the end of the year.

Othman Al Ali, EWEC CEO, highlighted the project’s significance in accelerating the UAE’s transition to a low-carbon economy. “The 400MW BESS project marks a key milestone in EWEC’s strategic efforts to enhance the resilience and efficiency of the power network.”

The project will follow Abu Dhabi’s successful Independent Power Producer model, where developers sign long-term agreements with EWEC as the sole procurer. 

This involves developing, financing, constructing, operating, maintaining, and owning the BESS system and its infrastructure. The next stage will begin after RFP responses are received by Q4 2024.