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, which will become the UAE’s largest single-site carbon-capture-ready Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) plant.
Set within the newly established Al Nouf Complex on the Abu Dhabi coast, the project is designed to deliver high-efficiency, operational flexibility, and lower emissions, supporting the UAE’s ongoing energy transition and decarbonisation objectives.
The complex has been strategically located to accommodate seawater-cooled power generation alongside reverse osmosis desalination technology, and features infrastructure capacity for future utility-scale energy and water projects. EWEC said this integrated planning approach reflects its commitment to creating energy clusters that maximise performance, efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
“Al Nouf will play a pivotal role in ensuring grid reliability and flexibility as the UAE scales up large-scale renewable energy,” said Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC. “Its strategic location and high-efficiency design will enhance our ability to meet future demand while supporting the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.”
The IPP model follows Abu Dhabi’s established approach, with developers entering long-term agreements with EWEC as the sole procurer. Developers or consortiums will own up to 40% of the entity, with the remainder held indirectly by the Abu Dhabi government.
Al Nouf is expected to begin commercial operations in Q3 2029, with natural gas turbine technology generating up to 3.3 gigawatts of electricity.
The RFP encourages integration of Artificial Intelligence, digital twinning, and advanced monitoring systems to optimise operational efficiency, predictive maintenance, and system resilience. Responses are expected in Q4 2025.
EWEC has already reserved gas turbines for the project, aiming to accelerate development and ensure reliable delivery of future power capacity in line with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050.
