PowerChina has won a $1.9 billion EPC contract for a major solar and battery-storage project in Abu Dhabi, signalling a significant shift towards dispatchable renewables in the Gulf region’s energy transition.
PowerChina has secured an estimated $1.9 billion EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) contract for the northern part of Abu Dhabi’s famous solar and battery-storage project. This move clearly highlights the emirate’s push to incorporate large-scale, dispatchable renewable energy into its grid, an important step in its energy transition.
As reported by MEED, this contract covers the northern section of a bigger scheme that, once finished, will connect 5.2 GW of solar PV with 19 GWh of battery energy storage on a single site in the Mshayrif area. PowerChina’s scope involves roughly 2.1 GW of DC-side PV installations and about 7.75 GWh of BESS capacity, including the necessary substations and other balance-of-plant work. The overall project is being developed as an independent power project (IPP) aimed at providing 1 GW of reliable, around-the-clock clean electricity. MEED also notes that the entire scheme has a total budget close to $6 billion.
This ambitious project is being developed by EWEC, in partnership with Masdar and various international collaborators. Its primary goal is to meet seasonal peak demands, particularly during the hottest months from April through October, when cooling needs push electricity usage to its highest. Interestingly enough, reports indicate that the facility will be optimized to deliver steady output during these months, ensuring a reliable supply when power demand is at its peak. EWEC is expected to act as the long-term off-taker under a power purchase agreement.
Sources within the industry say that the suppliers for modules and batteries are already chosen. MEED previously mentioned that lithium-ion batteries and systems are being supplied by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co (CATL). Meanwhile, PV modules are reportedly being supplied by JinkoSolar and JA Solar, each contracted to deliver around 2.6 GW of modules. The project developers have also brought in PwC Middle East to help with financial structuring.
Both developers and advisers point out that the size and design of the project are driven by both grid needs and commercial considerations. Large PV arrays paired with battery storage can help shift solar production into evening hours and support large industrial and data-center customers who require a steady, low-carbon power supply. MEED highlights that part of the scheme’s goal is to serve major energy consumers in Abu Dhabi’s rapidly growing data-center and AI computing sectors.
Market models shared with the public suggest the project will significantly reduce emissions and boost energy output. MEED estimates that the full development could cut about 5.7 million tonnes of CO2 annually and generate enough clean electricity to power nearly half a million homes. The construction of the integrated facility is aimed to be completed by 2028.
PowerChina’s involvement represents part of a broader trend, Chinese engineering firms are increasingly expanding their footprint in Gulf renewable energy projects. Over recent years, PowerChina and its subsidiaries have won multiple large PV and EPC contracts across the Middle East. For example, separate announcements have highlighted PowerChina Guizhou and other affiliates leading multi-hundred-megawatt projects in Saudi Arabia under that country’s National Renewable Energy Program, illustrating a regional supply chain network that covers everything from cells and modules to the balance-of-plant work.
This Abu Dhabi contract also joins a growing list of big projects in the emirate’s renewable pipeline. Reportedly, PowerChina Huadong has been contracted to build the Al Ajban Solar PV power plant, which developers say will be one of the largest single-site solar farms in the world, with operations expected to start in Q3 of 2026. According to reports, EDF Renewables, KOWEPO, and local shareholder Masdar hold the offtake agreement for Al Ajban with EWEC.
Despite the large headline value of the northern block EPC, industry experts warn that such mega-projects are usually split into multiple smaller packages, involving a variety of technology and financing partners. MEED notes that the entire project has been divided into at least two major segments, north and south, with separate contractors managing different parts. This approach helps mitigate construction risks and allows for parallel progress on both PV and storage works.
The contract also underscores the growing trend of combining high-capacity PV with multi-gigawatt-hour batteries to produce what’s called “firm” renewable power. Analysts say that these hybrid projects are becoming critical to Gulf countries’ decarbonization strategies because they provide predictable, dispatchable power and make the most of the region’s abundant sunshine. In Abu Dhabi’s case, developers are explicitly aiming to reduce dependence on fossil fuels during peak cooling periods and support the emirate’s stated goal of net-zero emissions by mid-century.
There’s also a lot of emphasis from local economic development advocates. These projects are seen as creating jobs during construction, promoting skills transfer locally, and bolstering downstream supply chains. For companies already active in the region, like PowerChina, the scale and continuity of such projects are vital. Recent remarks from PowerChina and its partners have cited earlier Gulf projects, including an 800 MW solar plant in Qatar, as examples of their ability to deliver large PV projects in harsh desert conditions.
Of course, with these complex, consortium-led infrastructure projects, some risks remain, supply chain pressures for batteries and modules, logistical challenges related to desert construction, and the technical hurdles of integrating vast BESS arrays with PV at a single site. That said, developers believe that dividing the work into multiple EPC packages and sourcing from established suppliers can help manage many of these risks.
For the UAE’s emerging climate tech ecosystem, this project could be a game-changer. If successful, it could serve as a model for other governments and big energy users in the region, demonstrating how to combine affordable solar with storage solutions for around-the-clock renewable power, supporting ambitious decarbonization goals and regional industrial growth.
- https://solarquarter.com/2026/03/24/powerchina-secures-1-9-billion-solar-and-storage-project-in-abu-dhabi/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.meed.com/chinese-firm-announces-19bn-abu-dhabi-renewables-contract – China Power Construction Corporation (PowerChina) has announced details of a contract signed for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) works on part of Abu Dhabi’s $6bn round-the-clock solar and battery storage project. The independent power project (IPP) will combine 5.2GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity with 19GWh of battery storage. Last October, Emirates Water & Electricity Company (Ewec) and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) broke ground on what will be the world’s largest combined solar and battery energy storage system (bess), designed to supply 1GW of round-the-clock power. India’s Larsen & Toubro and Beijing-headquartered PowerChina were awarded the EPC contract for the project last year, with PwC Middle East advising Ewec on financial structuring. According to the Chinese firm, the full project has been divided into two blocks, north and south, indicating at least two major packages. PowerChina’s contract, valued at about $1.9bn, covers the northern block of the project, which includes 2.1GW of DC-side PV installations and a 7.75GWh bess. The scope includes the design, procurement and construction of substations, PV facilities and battery energy storage systems. Located in the Mshayrif area of Abu Dhabi, the wider project is designed to supply steady delivery of power between April and October each year, the UAE’s peak electricity demand season due to cooling loads. This includes serving large energy users that require 24/7 clean electricity, such as fast-growing data centre operators and technology firms driving artificial intelligence deployment in the region. Ewec will act as the offtaker under a long-term power purchase agreement. MEED previously reported that China’s CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co), Jinko Solar and JA Solar will supply the bess and PV modules, with Jinko and JA each providing 2.6GW of modules. The project will avoid 5.7 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually and provide enough clean energy to power nearly half a million homes. Construction is expected to be completed in 2028.
- https://www.mepmiddleeast.com/projects/powerchina-wins-epc-contract-solar-power-plant-abu-dhabi – PowerChina Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited has secured an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for the Al Ajban Solar Photovoltaic Independent Power Plant in Abu Dhabi. The project is set to become one of the world’s largest single-site solar power plants. Scheduled to commence operations in Q3 2026, the plant is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing sustainable energy infrastructure in the region. EDF Renewables signed a power purchasing agreement alongside consortium partner KOWEPO and local shareholder, Masdar, with EWEC earlier this year in April. Under the terms of the agreement, the consortium is to design, finance, build and operate the plant.
- https://www.saudigulfprojects.com/2025/01/powerchina-subsidiary-awarded-epc-contracts-for-1-75-gw-solar-pv-projects/ – PowerChina Guizhou Engineering Co., Ltd. announces that it has signed the EPC contracts for two photovoltaic power station projects, Al Masa’a (MAS) and Al Henakiyah 2 (AHK2) in Saudi Arabia. The Projects are part of the fifth round of solar projects under the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) which is led and supervised by the Ministry of Energy. The Projects will have a total installed capacity of 1.75GW. The Scope of Works includes the design, procurement, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of photovoltaic power stations and supporting ancillary projects. The MAS project is located about 1.13 kilometers east of Dharghat Town, Hail Province, Saudi Arabia, with a total installed capacity of 1,250 megawatts, and the AHK2 project is located about 36 kilometers southeast of Al Henakiyah Town, Medina Province, Saudi Arabia, with a total installed capacity of 500 megawatts. This project is the first cooperation between Guizhou Engineering Company and domestic and foreign companies such as SPIC Huanghe Hydropower Development Co. Ltd and EDF Renewables Middle East in the high-end market of the Middle East. It is reported that after the completion of the project, it will produce 4.4 billion kWh of clean electricity annually, provide green, stable and clean energy for about 550,000 local households, and reduce 2.88 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, helping Saudi Arabia achieve the goal of “building a new national energy system that is clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient” in its Vision 2030. Earlier, during December 2024, The Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) signed the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with developers.
- https://www.saudigulfprojects.com/2023/12/yingli-solar-awarded-modules-supply-contract-for-1-25-gw-saad-2-pv-project/ – Yingli Energy Development Co., Ltd. (Yingli Solar) announced in a statement that it has recently signed an agreement to supply modules for Saad 2 PV project in Saudi Arabia. Under the terms, Yingli Solar will provide 1.25 GW of their high-efficiency Panda N-type TOPCon PV modules for the Saad 2 PV project. This project, developed by ACWA Power in Saudi Arabia, is a pivotal part of the third round of PV project plans by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). The Saad 2 PV project boasts a total installed capacity of 1,255 MW. As one of the largest renewable energy projects in the Middle East, it is developed by the region’s leading renewable energy developer, ACWA Power. The EPC is handled by Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited and SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction Co., Ltd.(SEPCOIII), both under the Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina).
- https://www.mesia.com/news/longis-green-power-green-hydrogen-solution-supports-mena-region-zero-carbon-drive – Dr. Bart from ACWA Power believes that the introduction of innovative technologies can enable people to enjoy reliable, cheap and clean renewable energy. ACWA Power has always been willing to be open and collaborate with leading industrial players such as LONGi in technological innovation. In his speech, Dr Bart strongly promoted the region to embark on the fast track of energy transition. Mr Peng from PowerChina said that the Qatar Al-Kharsaa 800MW Solar Project, which was completed by PowerChina and supported by LONGi, meets the annual electricity consumption of about 300,000 households and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by about 900,000 tons per year, which is strong support for the commitment to a “carbon neutral” World Cup, and enables local people to enjoy low-carbon power supply and helps embark on the road of safe and green energy development. James Jin, President of LONGi MEA&CA Utility, announced that LONGi was able to break and keep the world efficiency records with 26.81% for silicon solar cells and 33.9% for crystalline silicon-perovskite tandem solar cells.
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:
7
Notes:
The article was published on 24 March 2026. Similar reports from 13 March 2026 mention PowerChina’s EPC contract for a 2.1 GW + 7.75 GWh solar-plus-storage project in Abu Dhabi. ([en.cnesa.org](https://en.cnesa.org/latest-news/2026/3/13/21gw775gwh-china-power-construction-group-signed-one-of-the-largest-solar-plus-storage-projects-in-the-uae?utm_source=openai)) The discrepancy in project size and value raises questions about the accuracy and freshness of the information.
Quotes check
Score:
5
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from industry sources. However, these quotes cannot be independently verified, as they do not appear in other reputable sources. This lack of verification raises concerns about the authenticity and reliability of the information.
Source reliability
Score:
4
Notes:
The article originates from SolarQuarter, a niche publication focused on solar energy. While it may be reputable within its niche, its limited reach and potential biases reduce the overall reliability of the source.
Plausibility check
Score:
6
Notes:
The claims about the project’s scale and value are plausible given the UAE’s commitment to large-scale renewable energy projects. However, the lack of corroboration from other reputable sources and the discrepancies in reported figures raise doubts about the accuracy of the information.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article presents information about a significant solar and storage project in Abu Dhabi, attributed to PowerChina. However, discrepancies in reported project size and value, along with the inability to independently verify quotes and the reliance on a niche publication with limited reach, raise substantial concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the information. Given these issues, the content does not meet the necessary standards for publication.
