The Al Zarraf Solar PV Project is a 1.5 GW utility-scale solar initiative in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, awarded by EWEC (Emirates Water & Electricity Company). In June 2025, EDF Power Solutions and Korea Western Power (KOWEPO) signed a Joint Development Agreement with EWEC to lead its development as an Independent Power Producer. Under the tender’s equity rules, the consortium may hold up to 40 per cent ownership, with the remainder retained indirectly by the Abu Dhabi government.
The project is expected to generate power for approximately 160,000 homes and avoid around 2.4 million tons of CO2 emissions annually. The solar plant also forms part of Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to increase its solar PV capacity toward 10 GW by 2030. In line with this, EWEC has also recently selected Masdar and ENGIE as the partners for its fourth utility-scale solar project, the 1.5 GW Khazna solar power project.
Al Zarraf Solar PV Project Factsheet
Location: Al Dhafra region, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Capacity: 1,500 MW AC
Developer: EDF, KOWEPO
Offtaker: EWEC
Expected Output: Electricity to power 160,000 homes. Also avoid 2.4 million tons of CO2 emissions annually
Equity Structure: Developer consortium may hold up to 40 per cent. Remaining held indirectly by Abu Dhabi government under tender rules
Strategic Role: The fifth utility-scale solar PV project under EWEC. Also supports Abu Dhabi’s move to 10 GW AC solar by 2030 and clean energy targets.
Status: Under development
Al Zarraf Solar PV Project Timeline
January 2025: EWEC issues the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 1,500 MW Al Zarraf Solar PV project after a prior Expression of Interest (EOI) stage.
June 2025: EDF and KOWEPO formally sign a Joint Development Agreement with EWEC to co-develop the project.
Mid-2025 onward: Preparatory works, technical design, site pre-development, and financing structuring expected to proceed.
2026 onwards: Target for financial close (FID). Subject to due diligence, permitting, and investor commitments. Also expected is solar panel installation, grid connection, and commissioning phases.
EDF and KOWEPO Ink Deal for 1.5 GW Al Zarraf Solar PV Project in Abu Dhabi
Reported June 2, 2025 – EDF Power Solutions and Korea Western Power Company (KOWEPO) have signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) for the 1.5 gigawatt (GW) Al Zarraf photovoltaic (PV) solar Independent Power Producer (IPP) project in Abu Dhabi. The agreement was finalized on the sidelines of the World Utilities Congress 2025.
This landmark project will mark the fifth utility-scale solar PV development for both Abu Dhabi and EWEC, further cementing the emirate’s commitment to clean energy leadership.
Competitive Bidding Process Draws Global Interest
EWEC issued the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Al Zarraf project in January 2025. This followed an Expression of Interest (EOI) process initiated in October 2024. Of the 20 entities that submitted EOIs, 16 were qualified to proceed to the RFP stage after submitting Statements of Qualification.
The winning consortium will finance, design, build, operate, maintain, and partially own the project. It is expected to hold up to 40% equity, while the Abu Dhabi government will retain a majority indirect stake in the IPP company. A long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with EWEC ensures payment for only the net energy generated.
Supporting Abu Dhabi’s 2030 and 2035 Solar Ambitions
The Al Zarraf plant will be located in the Al Dhafra region and is projected to be one of the world’s largest single-site solar PV installations. It will generate enough electricity to power approximately 160,000 homes, significantly contributing to EWEC’s goal of reaching 10 GWac of solar capacity by 2030.
Looking ahead, EWEC anticipates that Abu Dhabi will have at least 18 GW of solar PV capacity operational by 2035, aligning with the Department of Energy’s Clean Energy Strategic Target for Electricity Production.
EDF and KOWEPO Expanding Renewable Energy Footprint in UAE
The EDF-KOWEPO consortium is also among the final bidders for the 1.5 GW Al Khazna Solar PV IPP in Abu Dhabi. According to project intelligence provider MEED, they submitted the lowest bid as of March 2025.
In a separate collaboration, EDF, KOWEPO, and UAE-based Masdar also announced financial close for the 1.5 GW Al Ajban Solar PV project in September 2024. This is another significant solar initiative in Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy roadmap.
