By: AGBI

The 2.4GW Fujairah F3 independent power producer project, one of the largest and most efficient gas-fired power plants in the UAE, has started commercial operations to meet the growing power demand.

The brownfield facility, which was launched in 2020, is capable of supplying electricity to 380,000 homes, supporting the country’s shift towards cleaner, more sustainable energy production.

Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa) owns a 40 percent stake in the project company, Marubeni Corporation 20.4 percent, Mubadala 20 percent and Hokuriku Electric Power 19.6 percent. The overall cost has not been revealed.

The state-owned Emirates Water and Electricity Company (Ewec) is the sole off-taker under a long-term power purchase agreement.

Andreas Collor, chief operations officer of Taqa’s generation business, said Fujairah F3 plays a crucial role in meeting the UAE’s growing power needs, offering both reliable baseload power and the flexibility needed to integrate renewables into the grid.

Mohamed Almarzooqi, chief asset development & management officer of Ewec, said the plant provides transitional capacity, supporting the integration of utility-scale renewable energy and grid reliability during peak demand. 

Fujairah F3 significantly expands the UAE’s electricity generation capacity, leveraging new technologies that reduce emissions, boost efficiency and support sustainable development, Ewec said.

Power capacity in the UAE is expected to reach 79.1GW in 2035, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4 percent during 2024-35, according to London-based analysts GlobalData.

The Emirates are experiencing a sharp increase in electricity consumption driven by population growth and rapid urban development.

As of 2024, the population is estimated at 11 million and is expected to reach 11.9 million by 2030.