Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), DUBAL Holding and Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) have signed a series of agreements aimed at decarbonising aluminium production and advancing renewable and clean energy development in Abu Dhabi.
The agreements support the growth strategies of TAQA and DUBAL Holding, position EGA as a leader in the global aluminium industry’s pathway to net zero by 2050, and align with EWEC’s plans to optimise solar power generation in the Emirate. They are also intended to improve power-generation efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
TAQA and DUBAL Holding will acquire EGA’s Al Taweelah power and water generation assets for $1.9 billion (approximately Dh7 billion). The Al Taweelah plant has a capacity of 3.1GW, making it the third largest in Abu Dhabi, and includes 6.25 million imperial gallons per day of desalination. The assets will be held in a joint venture equally shared by TAQA and DUBAL Holding, with operations managed through a new O&M company owned by TAQA and EGA.
The TAQA–DUBAL Holding joint venture also signed a long-term Power Purchase Agreement with EWEC under which EWEC will procure power from the plant until 2049. The facility will supply flexible electricity to support the increasing share of renewables in Abu Dhabi’s grid. Separately, TAQA Transmission will acquire EGA’s transmission assets and is progressing a project to expand interconnection capacity from 640 MVA to 3,360 MVA by 2027.
EGA has signed Abu Dhabi’s largest-ever electricity supply agreements with EWEC and TAQA Distribution, securing 23 TWh per year over 24 years. This will make EGA the largest single electricity customer on the emirate’s grid, with the share of renewable and clean energy increasing as new solar projects come online. EWEC expects more than 18GW of solar PV to be operating by 2035 and forecasts that energy-sector CO₂ emissions will fall by around 50% by the mid-2030s.
EGA plans to significantly raise the share of CelestiAL solar aluminium and MinimAL low-carbon aluminium in its output to almost half of total primary aluminium by the end of 2028, depending on market demand. Production of both will rise from the fourth quarter of 2025 as EGA gains the ability to bid for increasing volumes of clean energy certificates from existing solar and nuclear facilities.
EWEC will also enhance the efficiency of the electricity generation fleet by leveraging EGA’s capacity to improve system flexibility and reduce gas consumption per unit of electricity generated. The parties expect the initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.5 million tonnes annually by 2035, representing more than 3% of Abu Dhabi’s current total emissions. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the new year.
Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, said, “These agreements demonstrate Abu Dhabi’s approach in action — delivering reliable and sustainable energy to enable the growth of a manufacturing industry, while minimising carbon footprint. The Department of Energy partnered with EWEC, TAQA, DUBAL Holding and EGA in bringing this initiative to the finish line.”
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA, said, “This initiative is one of the largest decarbonisation projects ever in the global aluminium industry, and makes EGA a leader in our industry’s drive towards a more sustainable future. For our global customers, it significantly increases the availability of low-carbon ‘premium aluminium,’ strengthening the role of our metal as an essential material to make modern life possible.”
Jasim Husain Thabet, Group CEO and MD of TAQA, said, “Today’s agreements demonstrate the strength and breadth of TAQA’s integrated model, spanning generation, transmission and distribution. The acquisition of EGA’s Al Taweelah power assets enhances our portfolio and supports our 2030 ambition of reaching 150 GW of power generation capacity globally.”
Ahmad Hamad Bin Fahad, CEO of DUBAL Holding, said, “These agreements mark a key step toward driving sustainable industrial growth across the UAE. We are pleased to partner with EGA, TAQA, and EWEC, and this reinforces DUBAL Holding’s commitment to driving the country’s clean energy transition and positioning the UAE as a global leader in low-carbon aluminium production."
Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, CEO of EWEC, said, “This landmark partnership redefines what is possible for sustainable industrial growth. EWEC is uniting our world-leading renewable and clean energy capabilities with the expertise of our partners, advancing the decarbonisation of aluminium production, and setting a new global benchmark for how UAE industries can lead and thrive on the international stage while accelerating toward a net-zero future.”
The deals were signed by senior executives from the four entities in the presence of Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Homaid Al Shimmari, and Jasim Husain Thabet.
