Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (“TAQA”), one of the largest listed integrated utility companies in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, together with JERA Co., Inc (“JERA”), Japan’s largest power generation company and Al Bawani Capital (“AlBawani”), a subsidiary of AlBawani Holding, a leading and diversified contracting and development group, announced that they have entered into two 25-year power purchase agreements (“PPAs”) with Saudi Power Procurement Company (“SPPC”) on a build, own and operate basis, to develop two new greenfield combined cycle gas turbine (“CCGT”) power projects with a total power generation capacity of over 3.6 GW in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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The PPAs follow SPPC’s announcement for the award of contracts for the 1.8 GW Rumah 2 and 1.8 GW Al Nairyah 2 conventional independent power producer (“IPP”) projects to a consortium comprising of TAQA, JERA and AlBawani.
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The Rumah 2 IPP and Al Nairyah 2 IPP will use the highest efficiency CCGT turbines available and will enable the utilisation of carbon capture technologies. The projects support the Kingdom’s energy mix ambitions which aim to meet power demand through an optimal energy mix for electricity production of 50% from renewable energy and 50% from gas technology by 2030. The plants are also in alignment with the Saudi Green Initiative that aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions through the circular carbon economy by 2060, or earlier depending on the availability of necessary technologies.
The two new plants will be developed by respective special purpose entities owned by TAQA (49%), JERA (31%) and AlBawani (20%) with operation and maintenance (“O&M”) of the plants to be undertaken by the partners through respective O&M special purpose entities with the same shareholding structure.
Farid Al Awlaqi, Chief Executive Officer, TAQA’s Generation business, said: “TAQA has ambitious growth targets of 150GW by 2030, and today’s announcement marks a major milestone for 2024 with the addition of a further 3.6 GW of low-carbon gas-fired power capacity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, making it five greenfield projects in the Kingdom under development in TAQA’s portfolio. In addition to signing the PPAs, we are taking on the role as the lead developer and will oversee the operations and maintenance of these two world-class plants, demonstrating our expanded operational capabilities. Today’s announcement of these two greenfield power projects cements TAQA’s position as a low carbon power and water champion and as a trusted and sustainable developer, investor and operator in several key markets. Alongside our partners, JERA and AlBawani, TAQA is pleased to be supporting the Kingdom and SPPC on its energy transition journey with these two pivotal power plants.”
Steven Winn, Chief Global Strategist, JERA, said: “In line with JERA’s goal to achieve net zero by 2050, the award of these two high-efficiency independent power projects, featuring state-of-the-art HL class gas turbines, reinforces JERA’s commitment to decarbonising thermal power generation. This key milestone was successfully achieved thanks to the excellent teamwork of all stakeholders, SPPC and our partners, TAQA and AlBawani, including our contractors in reaching this critical milestone. These projects align perfectly with our strategy to provide efficient, sustainable, and technologically advanced energy systems, contributing to the Kingdom’s and our customers’ vision for a sustainable and optimised energy supply.
JERA reiterates its commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s strategic Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) and Vision 2030. As a pioneer in the value chain business, JERA has a deep interest in the energy sector within the Kingdom.”
Eng. Fakher AlShawaf, Group CEO of AlBawani Holding, emphasised: “The partnership with TAQA and JERA on these state-of-the-art power plants marks a transformative milestone for AlBawani, reinforcing our commitment to advancing the Kingdom’s energy diversification intiatives. This project represents our dedication to sustainable practices and our commitment to advancing the goals of Vision 2030. Through this project, we aim to deliver a highly efficient and reliable power solution that will play a crucial role in meeting the Kingdom’s growing demand for energy, while also advancing local expertise and creating new opportunities for economic growth. We look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to realise this vision and bring lasting value to Saudi Arabia’s energy landscape.”
Earlier this year, TAQA together with JERA reached the financial close of a new industrial steam and electricity cogeneration plant that will produce electricity and steam for a petrochemical complex located in Jubail in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
About TAQA
Established in 2005, TAQA is a diversified utilities and energy group headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX: TAQA). TAQA has significant investments in power and water generation, water treatment and reuse, transmission and distribution assets, as well as upstream and midstream oil and gas operations. The company’s assets are in the United Arab Emirates as well as Canada, Ghana, India, Morocco, Oman, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
About JERA Co., Inc.
Established in 2015, JERA is an equal joint venture of two major Japanese electric power companies, TEPCO Fuel & Power Incorporated and Chubu Electric Power Company and produces about 30% of all electricity in Japan. JERA is an energy company with global reach that has strength in the entire energy supply chain, from participation in LNG upstream projects and fuel procurement, through fuel transportation to power generation. JERA, which stands for Japan’s Energy for a New Era, will take on the challenge of achieving net zero CO2 emissions from its domestic and overseas businesses by 2050 and is supporting an energy transition in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
About AlBawani Capital
AlBawani Capital, a subsidiary of AlBawani Holding, has quickly emerged as a prominent development and investment firm in the Kingdom. AlBawani Holding stands at the forefront of the construction and infrastructure sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. By leveraging the collective expertise of its diverse subsidiaries, which cover the full construction value chain, the company is committed to delivering world-class built environments. These subsidiaries span multiple sectors, including construction, technology, MEP, facility management, energy, investment, and public-private partnership (PPP) development.
