The Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) launched a 2GW solar tender in February.
Potential partners have until 5 March to express their interest. Under the terms of the tender, the successful bidder will take a 40% share in a special purpose vehicle to back the project with EWEC taking the lion’s share. Electricity will be provided to EWEC under a “long-term” power purchase agreement.
While the Emirates does have a mixed PV and solar thermal park in Dubai, the entire 2GW project in Al Dhafra will be solely photovoltaic.
EWEC is the new name for ADWEC, the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Company.
The emirate has already built the 1.2GW Sweihan complex, which was constructed by Indian engineering, procurement and construction firm Sterling & Wilson with JinkoSolar supplying modules.