EWEC Seeks Proposals For 400MW Battery Energy Storage To Boost Abu Dhabi's Grid

Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has invited proposals from qualified developers for a 400-megawatt (MW) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Abu Dhabi. This initiative aims to provide up to 800 megawatt-hours (MWh) of storage capacity. The company announced that responses to the Request for Proposals (RFP) will be accepted by the fourth quarter of 2024.

The BESS project is designed to improve the flexibility and stability of Abu Dhabi's energy network. This technology will help manage peak demand effectively and integrate more renewable energy sources into the grid. Additionally, BESS will offer essential ancillary services such as frequency response and voltage regulation, ensuring a secure power supply.

EWEC's Chief Executive Officer, Othman Al Ali, highlighted the significance of this project: "As we commission the development of the UAE's next-generation energy infrastructure, the 400MW BESS project marks a key milestone in EWEC's strategic efforts to enhance the resilience and efficiency of the power network. Utility-scale BESS technology will facilitate our rapid integration of increased amounts of renewable energy from solar PV to the system and enable us to operate and manage peak demand more efficiently."

This strategic initiative supports EWEC's goal to increase its solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity to 7.5 gigawatts (GW) by 2030. The growth in renewables is expected to significantly lower carbon dioxide emissions from 330 kilogrammes per megawatt hour (kg/MWh) in 2019 to an estimated 190 kg/MWh by 2030.

The RFP follows an Expression of Interest (EOI) stage held in April 2024, where 93 companies and consortiums submitted EOIs. Out of these, 27 companies qualified for the RFP stage after submitting Statements of Qualification. This process ensures that only capable developers are considered for this critical project.

Global Energy Transition Leadership

Othman Al Ali also stated, "Through this strategic project, we are strengthening Abu Dhabi and the UAE's position as leaders of the global energy transition and accelerating the nation's net-zero goals. We look forward to working with best-in-class partners to bring this vision to fruition, further advancing the energy sector into a more sustainable future."

The deployment of BESS technology is a crucial step towards achieving these ambitious targets. It not only enhances grid stability but also supports EWEC’s broader strategy for integrating renewable energy sources efficiently.

This initiative underscores EWEC’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in energy management. By investing in advanced technologies like BESS, EWEC aims to ensure a reliable and environmentally friendly power supply for Abu Dhabi.

The successful implementation of this project will mark a significant advancement in Abu Dhabi’s energy infrastructure, paving the way for future developments in renewable energy integration.

With inputs from WAM