The global push for renewable energy has taken a significant step forward with a joint agreement between EDF Renewables, a French energy company, and Korea Western Power (KOWEPO) to develop a 1.5 GW solar photovoltaic project in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The project, known as Al Zarraf, was awarded to the consortium as part of a competitive tender process involving 16 qualified companies, with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) playing a central role in the initiative. Under the terms of this agreement, EDF and KOWEPO will each hold 40% equity, while the remaining shares will be indirectly owned by the Abu Dhabi government.
The strategic partnership highlights a growing trend within the UAE to diversify its energy portfolio and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The Al Zarraf project is expected to supply power to around 160,000 homes and is projected to avoid approximately 2.4 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. This aligns with EWEC’s ambitious targets to cut power emissions intensity by 36% by the year 2030.
According to reports, the project’s development is also a response to the UAE’s overall energy landscape, where as of the end of 2023, total installed capacity reached 42 GW, with natural gas making up a staggering 77% of the power mix. Nuclear, solar, and coal contribute 10%, 7%, and 6% respectively. Notably, the increasing investment in solar energy underscores the country’s goals to meet both domestic energy needs and international climate commitments.
This is just one of two major solar initiatives that the consortium is undertaking in the UAE. Earlier in 2024, EWEC awarded EDF and KOWEPO another 1.5 GW project in Al Ajban, which will further solidify the UAE’s reputation as a leader in renewable energy. This upcoming project, alongside the Al Zarraf initiative, positions the UAE to host some of the world’s largest single-site solar facilities, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and innovation in energy production.
Additionally, the Abu Dhabi emirate is not resting on its laurels. The expected energy output of the Al Zarraf project will contribute to a growing solar capacity that has already increased from 0.6 GW in 2018 to over 3 GW by 2022, currently meeting around 4% of the nation’s power generation needs. This momentum is vital as the UAE plans for continued growth within the renewable sector, aiming to balance its energy portfolio amid global climate challenges.
With these developments, the UAE stands at the forefront of renewable energy initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable practices while working towards a greener future. The successful partnership between EDF and KOWEPO serves as a compelling model for international collaboration in the energy sector, showcasing the potential for renewable energy projects to mitigate climate change while addressing local energy demands.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.enerdata.net/publications/daily-energy-news/edf-and-kowepo-will-develop-15-gw-zarraf-solar-project-abu-dhabi-uae.html – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.enerdata.net/publications/daily-energy-news/edf-and-kowepo-will-develop-15-gw-zarraf-solar-project-abu-dhabi-uae.html – EDF Renewables and Korea Western Power (KOWEPO) have entered into a joint development agreement with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) to develop the 1.5 GW Al Zarraf solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This project was awarded to the consortium following a competitive bidding process, with 16 companies qualified. Under the terms of the tender, EDF and KOWEPO each own up to 40% of the project, while the remaining equity is held indirectly by the Abu Dhabi government. The project is expected to generate sufficient energy to supply approximately 160,000 homes and avoid about 2.4 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, contributing to EWEC’s goal of reducing power emissions intensity by 36% by 2030. As of the end of 2023, the UAE’s total installed capacity was 42 GW, predominantly from gas (77%), followed by nuclear (10%), solar (7%), and coal (6%).
- https://www.pv-magazine.com/2024/09/19/financing-secured-for-1-5-gw-solar-plant-in-abu-dhabi/ – EDF Renewables, Korea Western Power Co. (KOWEPO), and Masdar have secured financing to build a 1.5 GW solar plant near Abu Dhabi, backed by a 30-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Emirates Water and Electricity Co. (EWEC). The project company, jointly owned by EDF Renewables and KOWEPO (20% each) and Masdar (60%), will design, build, and operate the plant. The Al Ajban Solar Photovoltaic project, located about 70 km northeast of Abu Dhabi, will feature 3 million solar panels on single-axis trackers. Once fully commissioned by the third quarter of 2026, the plant will rank among the world’s largest single-site solar facilities and will become the UAE’s third utility-scale solar park.
- https://www.pv-magazine.com/2024/04/29/edf-kowepo-masdar-to-develop-1-5-gw-solar-in-uae/ – Emirates Water and Electricity Co. (EWEC) has selected an international consortium comprising France’s EDF Renewables, South Korea’s KOWEPO, and Masdar to develop the 1.5 GW Al Ajban solar project in the United Arab Emirates. EWEC and the other stakeholders have signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) for the project. The consortium will design, finance, build, and operate the plant, with EWEC as the sole purchaser of the electricity. The plant will be built in Al Ajban, 70 km northeast of Abu Dhabi. Masdar Chairman and UAE Minister of Industry Sultan Al Jaber stated that the project will make the United Arab Emirates host four of the largest single-site plants in the world.
- https://www.pv-magazine.com/2024/03/25/edf-kowepo-to-build-1-5-gw-solar-project-in-uae/ – Korea Western Power Co. (KOWEPO) and EDF Renewables have signed a joint development agreement for a 1.5 GW solar farm in Khazna, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The partners are already in advanced discussions with Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Water and Electricity Co. (EWEC) for a project of the same size in the Al-Ajban region. The 2 GW Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic Independent Power Project is also under development in the UAE.
- https://www.enerdata.net/publications/daily-energy-news/edf-and-kowepo-will-build-second-15-gw-solar-project-abu-dhabi-uae.html – Korea Western Power Company (KOWEPO) and France’s EDF Renewables have signed a joint agreement to develop a 1.5 GW solar project in Al-Khazna, in the Abu Dhabi Emirate (United Arab Emirates). The tender for the construction of the project was launched in September 2023 by Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) and the power plant is expected for commissioning in 2027. Power will be sold to EWEC under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA). This is the second major project for KOWEPO and EDF Renewables in the UAE. In February 2024, EWEC awarded the partners the development of another 1.5 GW solar project, located in Al-Ajban, Abu Dhabi Emirate. KOWEPO and EDF Renewables are also developing the 500 MW Manah 1 solar project in Oman. The UAE’s solar capacity increased from 0.6 GW in 2018 to just over 3 GW in 2022, representing about 7% of the country’s total installed capacity and covering around 4% of power generation in 2022.
- https://www.enerdata.net/publications/daily-energy-news/edf-and-kowepo-will-develop-15-gw-zarraf-solar-project-abu-dhabi-uae.html – EDF Renewables and Korea Western Power (KOWEPO) have entered into a joint development agreement with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) to develop the 1.5 GW Al Zarraf solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This project was awarded to the consortium following a competitive bidding process, with 16 companies qualified. Under the terms of the tender, EDF and KOWEPO each own up to 40% of the project, while the remaining equity is held indirectly by the Abu Dhabi government. The project is expected to generate sufficient energy to supply approximately 160,000 homes and avoid about 2.4 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, contributing to EWEC’s goal of reducing power emissions intensity by 36% by 2030. As of the end of 2023, the UAE’s total installed capacity was 42 GW, predominantly from gas (77%), followed by nuclear (10%), solar (7%), and coal (6%).
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references a press release from Enerdata dated 6 June 2025, detailing the development of the 1.5 GW Zarraf Solar PV project in Abu Dhabi by EDF Renewables and Korea Western Power Co. (KOWEPO). This press release is the earliest known publication of this specific information. The project was awarded to the consortium as part of a competitive tender process involving 16 qualified companies, with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) playing a central role in the initiative. The press release is original and provides fresh information. However, the narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative does not contain any direct quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from Enerdata, a reputable source known for its energy market analyses. The press release is original and provides fresh information.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and align with known developments in the UAE’s renewable energy sector. The project details, including capacity, location, and environmental impact, are consistent with other reputable sources. The narrative lacks specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates, which reduces the score and flags it as potentially synthetic.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is based on a recent press release from Enerdata, detailing the development of the 1.5 GW Zarraf Solar PV project in Abu Dhabi by EDF Renewables and KOWEPO. The information is fresh and originates from a reputable source. While the narrative lacks specific factual anchors, the overall content is plausible and aligns with known developments in the UAE’s renewable energy sector.
