Construction has officially commenced on the Al Ajban Solar Power Plant, a 1.5 GW project spearheaded by EDF Renewables Middle East in partnership with Masdar and Korea Western Power Co. (KOWEPO).
The project, commissioned by Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), represents a key step in the UAE’s journey toward achieving its ambitious clean energy and sustainability goals.
At a groundbreaking ceremony, partners reaffirmed the roadmap for this state-of-the-art facility, which will feature approximately 3 million solar panels mounted on single-axis trackers.
Once operational in Q3 2026, Al Ajban is expected to generate enough electricity to power 160,000 homes and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 2.4 million tons annually.
“Together, we’re creating a greener future for the UAE,” said Quentin des Cressonnières of EDF Renewables, stressing the project’s alignment with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 initiative.
“As a shareholder, our commitment to the environmental and social aspect of every project we’re developing, building & operating is at the heart of everything we do.”
The Al Ajban project reached financial close in September, marking another milestone in the UAE’s clean energy strategy. The project company, led by EDF Renewables and KOWEPO (20% stake each) with Masdar holding a 60% majority stake, secured funding from six top-tier banks, including BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole CIB, and HSBC Middle East.
“We are proud to contribute to the UAE’s clean energy transition and to support its ambitious sustainability goals. Let’s continue building a brighter, greener future together,” said EDF in a social media post.
Under a 30-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), the consortium will design, finance, build, and operate the plant.
EWEC CEO Othman Al Ali has described the project as a cornerstone for Abu Dhabi’s ambition to achieving 7.5 GW of solar PV capacity by 2030, pointing out solar power as “one of the most cost-effective and low-carbon-intensive solutions for electricity generation.”
Beyond renewable energy, the Al Ajban plant also highlights its partners’ commitment to environmental stewardship. During pre-construction, efforts were made to relocate spiny-tailed lizards from the site to ensure their habitat remained intact, showcasing a balance between innovation and ecological responsibility.
“Our partnerships with EDF, KOWEPO, and EWEC reflect the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving the energy transition,” said Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, adding that Abu Dhabi is now home to three of the world’s largest single-site solar power plants.
The Al Ajban Solar PV power plant is part of the UAE Net-Zero by 2050 strategic initiative and is the third utility–scale solar park in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, making the Emirate a pioneer in renewable energy deployment.
Masdar is advancing solar, wind, geothermal, battery storage, and green hydrogen technologies, with a goal of reaching a 100 GW renewable energy portfolio and becoming a top producer of green hydrogen by 2030.
Its partner on this project, EDF Renewables, is also a global leader in developing, building, and operating renewable energy projects, with a focus on wind and solar power. By the end of 2023, the company had a net installed capacity of 12.8 GW, demonstrating its commitment to the energy transition and sustainable solutions worldwide.
Meanwhile, Korea Western Power (KOWEPO), established in 2001, continues to play a key role in Korea’s power generation sector, contributing 8.5% of the national capacity. KOWEPO is expanding its global presence, actively investing in renewable energy projects such as solar and wind, as part of its “New Renewable Energy Roadmap 2035” with a goal to derive 25% of its projected production from renewable sources by 2030.
It has significant investments in large-scale energy projects worldwide, including solar and wind initiatives in Sweden, Australia, and Oman.
