ADNOC, TAQA announce $3.6 bn project to power operations

The innovative project will see the development and operation of a first-of-its-kind high-voltage, direct current (HVDC-VSC) subsea transmission system in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It will power ADNOC’s offshore production operations with cleaner and more efficient energy, delivered through the Abu Dhabi onshore power grid, owned and operated by TAQA’s transmission and distribution companies.

The project will be funded through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) – a dedicated company that will be jointly owned by ADNOC and TAQA (30% stake each), and a consortium comprised of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), Japan’s Kyushu Electric Power Co. and Électricité de France (EDF). Led by KEPCO, the consortium will hold a combined 40 percent stake in the project on a build, own, operate and transfer basis.

The consortium will develop and operate the state-of-the-art transmission system alongside ADNOC and TAQA, with the full project being returned to ADNOC after 35 years of operation. The project is subject to relevant regulatory approvals.

The development is expected to reduce the carbon footprint of ADNOC’s offshore operations by more than 30 percent, replacing existing offshore gas turbine generators with more sustainable power sources available on the Abu Dhabi onshore power network. This progressive and collaborative approach will also drive operational efficiencies and improve system reliability of energy supply, while offering the potential for power supply cost optimisation.

Yaser Saeed Almazrouei, ADNOC Upstream Executive Director, said, "ADNOC is delighted to be collaborating again with TAQA, as we jointly welcome world-class industry leaders in yet another landmark transaction that will see ADNOC make a significant step forward in our ongoing decarbonisation journey. As ADNOC embraces the energy transition, this bold and progressive project will replace our existing offshore local power supply with cleaner and more sustainable onshore power sources, significantly reducing our carbon footprint while enabling additional cost savings. This first-of-its-kind project is a further example of how ADNOC is advancing practical and commercially viable solutions to secure a lower carbon future, while driving significant foreign direct invesment, and, in turn, cementing Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s position as a trusted global investment destination."

More than 50% of the project value will flow back into the UAE’s economy under ADNOC’s In-Country Value (ICV) program, underpinning ADNOC and TAQA’s commitment to driving responsible and sustained investment and value creation for Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

Jasim Husain Thabet, TAQA’s Group CEO and Managing Director, said, "As the recognised low carbon power and water champion of Abu Dhabi and one of the top 5 utilities in EMEA by market value, TAQA is pleased to again partner with ADNOC on such an important project that will contribute to the decarbonisation of Abu Dhabi’s energy industry in such an impactful way. This first-of-its-kind project shows how the UAE continues to demonstrate its strong leadership and innovation in the global energy transition by bringing together critical players to boost sustainability credentials and maximizing the utilisation of Abu Dhabi’s diverse and efficient energy mix. Decarbonisation continues to provide social and economic opportunities for collaboration and growth, which TAQA is actively pursuing through its strategic alliances and partnerships in the market."