Abu Dhabi’s Taweelah C gas plant edges closer with carbon capture plans and international backing

Abu Dhabi has awarded a major new gas-fired power project to a consortium led by TAQA , and honestly, it’s a pretty significant move for the emirate’s electricity grid. It’s not just about adding more capacity, but also keeping the door open for potential carbon capture down the line.

According to EWEC, which is basically the sole buyer and supplier of water and power in the emirate, the Taweelah C project has been handed to a partnership that includes Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (that’s TAQA), Saudi Arabia’s Aljomaih Energy and Water, and Singapore’s Sembcorp Industries. It’s now being described as a 2.6 GW plant , a bit more than the 2.5 GW that was mentioned earlier when EWEC was inviting bids.

The company also mentioned they’ve signed a power purchase agreement that runs until 2050, which means there’s a solid-long-term plan for buying the power. That’s pretty handy in the Gulf region, especially where utilities are trying to balance the rapid growth in demand with the need to reduce carbon emissions over the coming decades.

The plant is set to be built at the Al Taweelah complex, around 50 kilometres north-east of Abu Dhabi city. EWEC highlighted that the design allows for future integration of carbon capture technology , a forward-thinking touch, really. It will utilise Siemens Energy’s H-class turbines, which are generally associated with higher efficiency in large combined-cycle plants. So, pretty impressive in design terms.

What’s also interesting is how this project shows Abu Dhabi continuing to expand its gas-powered fleet, even as solar capacity is ramping up. Because, let’s be honest, flexible thermal generation plays a crucial role in grid stability, especially with demand rising and renewable sources like solar becoming a bigger part of the mix.

TAQA will own a 60 per cent stake in the project, with the remaining 40 per cent divided among the international partners. They’ll also have a 40 per cent share in the operation and maintenance company, while Aljomaih and Sembcorp will hold 60 per cent of that part. So, in practice, the asset stays largely rooted in Abu Dhabi but benefits from foreign expertise in large-scale utility development.

Now, this announcement is notable for both Aljomaih and Sembcorp as well. EWEC mentioned that this is Aljomaih Energy and Water’s very first utility project in the UAE. For Sembcorp, it’s only their second project in the country, following the Fujairah 1 water and power plant. This clearly shows that Abu Dhabi continues to attract investors from around Asia and the Gulf eager to get involved in long-term infrastructure projects.

The Taweelah C project has been in the pipeline for some time. Earlier reports noted that EWEC had received bids from three different consortiums, including Japanese and Korean players. Those proposals involved carbon-capture-ready turbines at the same Al Taweelah site, with a target commercial start in late 2028. But now, EWEC’s latest update mentions a 2029 commissioning , so a small delay, but not unusual for projects of this scale.

That slight postponement probably reflects how complex and big this scheme is, especially when it comes to wrapping up financing and technical planning. Large UAE utility projects tend to have lengthy processes before breaking ground.

It also fits into a broader strategy. As MEED recently reported, Taweelah C falls under EWEC’s wider plan to support the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 initiative and Abu Dhabi’s Clean Energy Strategic Target for 2035. Basically, the idea is not just to add renewables, but also to find more ways to decarbonise the existing fossil fuel plants that are still needed to keep the power grid stable.

This approach , well, at least to me , has been visible in earlier procurement rounds as well. EWEC previously awarded a 2 GW solar PV project at Al Dhafra to a TAQA-led consortium along with Masdar and other partners , and those tariffs were remarkably competitive. Solar power remains a key player in the emirate’s clean energy plans, but gas stations like Taweelah C will undoubtedly retain their importance as dispatchable power sources.

And, staying in line with the theme of future-proofing, the plant’s carbon-capture-ready design is pretty significant. It doesn’t mean they’re definitely installing carbon capture right now, but rather that the plant is engineered with the future possibility in mind. Especially in a region still heavily reliant on hydrocarbons, having that kind of optionality could be increasingly relevant as emission standards tighten and financing conditions evolve.

Taweelah already plays a central role as an industrial and utilities hub, making it a logical location for this big new plant. By choosing the site, EWEC can leverage existing grid infrastructure and water desalination assets, which makes the project more feasible and integrated into the region’s energy corridors.

For TAQA, winning this contract strengthens their position within Abu Dhabi’s core infrastructure portfolio. It also continues their trend of balancing local ownership with international partnerships. In a broader sense, it’s another sign that Abu Dhabi intends to build out both traditional and cleaner energy sources side by side, rather than treating those as separate or competing.

Next steps will involve translating this award into something more tangible: engineering, procurement, and construction work will follow. If everything goes to plan, by 2029, Taweelah C should be operational , one of Abu Dhabi’s largest power stations, and a crucial case study of the emirate’s approach to managing the transition from heavy fossil fuels to a low-carbon future.