Project at a Glance

Project Overview

The Al Ajban Solar PV is an Independent Power Project (IPP), having a capacity of 1,500 MW (1.5 GW) AC. It is an under-construction project located nearly 70 km north-east of Abu Dhabi. It is being developed under a 30-year public-private partnership with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) as procuring authority and offtaker.

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The project company, Ajban PV3 Energy, is led by Masdar with a 60 percent local stake, alongside EDF Renewables and Korea Western Power Company (KOWEPO), each holding 20 percent. The first solar panel was installed in February 2026, officially commencing the main module installation phase. Commercial operations are targeted for Q3 2026.

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At 1.5 GW AC, Al Ajban will be among the world's largest single-site solar power plants on commissioning, and the third-largest in Abu Dhabi’s Solar IPP portfolio, after Al Dhafra (2 GW, commissioned 2023) and Noor Abu Dhabi (1.177 GW, commissioned 2019). It positions Abu Dhabi as the global capital of large-scale solar, hosting three of the world's largest single-site solar plants simultaneously.

Spanning 20 square kilometers, the project will install approximately 3 million bifacial PV modules, generating enough electricity to power 160,000 UAE households and reducing Abu Dhabi's carbon emissions by over 2.4 million metric tonnes per year.

Being the third EWEC utility-scale solar plant in Abu Dhabi, it follows the procuring authority's established IPP model, used for Noor Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra. Here, international developers and their financing banks take project risk on construction and operations, while EWEC provides long-term revenue certainty through the PPA.

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The project directly supports the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, which targets 50 percent of energy from clean sources by 2050, and Abu Dhabi's Net Zero by 2050 commitment.

Al Ajban Solar PV Project Location

The Al Ajban Solar PV Project is located in Al Ajban, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, approximately 70 km northeast of downtown Abu Dhabi, near the Dubai border.  The site offers excellent solar irradiance conditions for large-scale photovoltaic power generation.

Technical Specifications

Project Background

The Al Ajban Solar PV project was conceived by Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) as the successor to its two landmark solar IPPs: Noor Abu Dhabi (1.177 GW, commissioned 2019) and Al Dhafra (2 GW, commissioned 2023).

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EWEC issued expressions of interest for the Al Ajban project in mid-2022. Nine bidders were prequalified in early 2023 and invited to submit bids individually or as members of a consortium. A preferred bidder was originally expected to be announced in Q4 2023 but was delayed by one quarter to Q1 2024, when the EDF Renewables and KOWEPO consortium, with Masdar as the Abu Dhabi local partner, was selected.

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The consortium signed the project's PPA with EWEC in April 2024. The energy purchase agreement commits EWEC to a 30-year offtake obligation, purchasing all net electrical energy supplied by the plant. The EPC contract was awarded in July 2024 to Huadong Engineering Corporation (HDEC), a PowerChina subsidiary.

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Financial close was achieved on 17 September 2024, with financing provided by six top-tier international banks and financial institutions. This confirms the bankability of the project structure and offtake terms.

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Construction commenced in December 2024. The main module installation phase officially began in February 2026 when EWEC announced the first solar panel had been installed at the Al Ajban site.

Al Ajban Solar PV Project Current Status

As of May 2026, the Al Ajban Solar PV Project is currently under the active construction phase, with panel installation and electrical infrastructure work progressing. The first solar panel was installed in February 2026, and full completion is expected in Q3 2026.

Stakeholders Details

Al Ajban Solar PV Project Cost

Project Scope

The following is the project scope of the Al Ajban Solar PV Project:

• Solar Panel Installation: The project will install approximately 3 million bifacial solar PV modules that capture sunlight on both sides.
  

• Tracking System: Panels mounted on single-axis trackers (SkyLine II 1P system by Arctech) to maximize energy output.
  

• Technology: The project utilizes state-of-the-art bifacial PV modules.
  

• EPC Scope: The facility underwent design, construction, procurement, installation, commissioning, and trial operation of the PV plant.
  

• Substations: The project includes building a 400kV booster substation that raises the voltage from the solar plant to 400kV for efficient long-distance transmission into Abu Dhabi's national power grid.

Project Milestone & Timeline

Benefits

The following are the benefits of the project:

• Carbon Emission Reduction: Reduces Abu Dhabi's carbon emissions by more than 2.4 million tonnes annually, equivalent to removing over 500,000 cars from roads.
  

• UAE Net-Zero 2050 Goal: Directly supports the UAE Net-Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, accelerating the country's transition to clean energy.
  

• Reduce dependence on fossil fuels: Diversifies Abu Dhabi's energy mix by adding large-scale solar capacity, reducing dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation.
  

• Sustainable Development: Contributes to sustainable urban development by providing clean electricity for the growing population and economic activities in Abu Dhabi.
  

• Grid Stability: The 400kV booster station ensures efficient grid integration and a stable power supply to Abu Dhabi's electricity network.
  

• Water Conservation: Solar PV requires minimal water for operation compared to thermal power plants, conserving the UAE's scarce water resources.

Conclusion

The Al Ajban Solar PV is a solar IPP Project, developed by EDF Renewables under a 30-year public-private partnership with EWEC. Having a capacity of 1.5 GW AC, the project will be among the world's largest single-site solar power plants upon commissioning. 

Supporting the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 and Abu Dhabi's Net Zero by 2050 commitment, the facility accelerates its transition to clean energy.

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Upon completion, it will not only reinforce the UAE's position as a global leader in renewable energy but also demonstrate the viability of large-scale solar technology in desert environments, setting a benchmark for future solar projects worldwide.

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