Abu Dhabi Hydropower Company (EWEC) officially launched the tender for the Al Nouf independent power generator project on August 18, with a planned installed capacity of 3.3GW, which will become the largest carbon capture reserved gas combined cycle power plant in the UAE. The project is located at Abu Dhabi's newly planned Al Nouf Complex power and desalination hub, which is expected to be operational in the third quarter of 2029, with a total investment scale that has not yet been disclosed.

This landmark project features a high-efficiency gas combined cycle unit with a specially designed carbon capture reservation interface, emphasizing operational flexibility and low emissions. The project will be developed in accordance with Abu Dhabi's proven IPP model, with no more than 40% shares held by the developer/consortium and the remaining shares indirectly held by the Abu Dhabi government. The tender documents particularly encourage the application of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital twins to optimize power station performance and improve full-cycle efficiency.

As a key component of the UAE's Net Zero Strategy 2050, the Al Nouf power plant will play an important transitional role in the energy transition. EWEC said the project can not only support large-scale renewable energy access, but also ensure the security of power supply during peak electricity consumption periods. The Al Nouf Complex, where the project is located, will form an integrated cluster of "energy and water" in the future, leading the new trend of energy infrastructure in the Gulf region together with regional projects such as NEOM in Saudi Arabia and Ras Laffan in Qatar.

Industry analysis pointed out that the project reflects the unique path of the energy transition in the Middle East: while vigorously developing photovoltaic and nuclear energy, high-efficiency gas power plants will still serve as the core support for grid stability. Its carbon capture reservation design also indicates the application prospects of CCUS technology in energy projects in the Gulf region, meeting the increasingly stringent ESG requirements of international financing institutions.

The launch of the Al Nouf project presents significant business opportunities for global engineering contractors, technology suppliers and financial institutions. The project tender deadline has not yet been announced, but it is expected to attract significant attention from top international energy developers, including Chinese companies. The advancement of this super project will further consolidate the UAE's leading position in the energy transition in the Middle East.(This article is from the official website of Jiandao www.seetao.com it must not be reprinted without permission, otherwise it will be investigated, please indicate the reprint of Jiandao.com + original link) See the Middle East column editor/Gao Xue