Abu Dhabi Selects Consortium for 2.5GW Taweelah C IPP

Why It Matters

The deal adds significant low‑carbon generation capacity to the UAE’s power mix, accelerating progress toward national net‑zero targets while diversifying Ewec’s energy portfolio.

Key Takeaways

• Al‑Jomaih and Sembcorp win 2.5 GW Taweelah C IPP contract
• CEEC appointed as EPC contractor for the CCGT plant
• PPA signing slated for mid‑May, operations target Q4 2028
• Project supports UAE Net Zero 2050 and Clean Energy 2035 goals
• Adds low‑carbon capacity to Ewec’s expanding solar, wind, and RO portfolio

Pulse Analysis

The United Arab Emirates is positioning natural‑gas‑fired combined‑cycle plants as a bridge to a fully renewable grid, and the 2.5 GW Taweelah C project exemplifies that strategy. By leveraging high‑efficiency turbines and carbon‑capture‑ready design, the plant can deliver reliable baseload power while keeping emissions in check, a critical factor for a region where solar and wind intermittency remains a challenge. The project also dovetails with Abu Dhabi’s broader Clean Energy Strategic Target 2035, which seeks to halve carbon intensity by that year.

The winning consortium—Al‑Jomaih Energy & Water and Singapore’s Sembcorp Industries—brings together deep regional market knowledge and international project‑finance expertise. Their partnership, backed by China Energy Engineering Corporation as the EPC contractor, signals confidence in the UAE’s stable regulatory environment and attractive tariff structures, which were described as among the lowest for CCGT in the region. The mid‑May PPA signing and a Q4 2028 commercial‑operation target provide a clear timeline for investors, while the competitive bid process underscores the market’s appetite for low‑cost, low‑carbon generation.

Beyond power generation, Taweelah C reinforces Ewec’s integrated approach to energy and water security. The plant’s carbon‑capture readiness aligns with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 pledge, and its output will support expanding solar (18 GW) and wind (2.6 GW) capacity slated for 2035. Coupled with the world’s largest reverse‑osmosis desalination facility at Taweelah, the project illustrates how the emirate is coupling low‑carbon electricity with water production, creating a resilient, diversified infrastructure portfolio that could serve as a model for other Gulf states.