Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed launches clean energy partnership between ADNOC, EWEC

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office has launched a clean energy partnership between the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company).

The partnership will see up to 100 per cent of ADNOC’s grid power supplied by EWEC’s nuclear and solar clean energy sources, building on the former’s role as a supplier of lower carbon oil and gas products. Murban, ADNOC’s flagship crude grade, already has a carbon intensity less than half the industry average, which will further improve as a result of this agreement, a statement said.

Murban was made more accessible to global market participants following the start of trading of the Murban Futures Contract on ICE Futures Abu Dhabi earlier this year.

Read: Abu Dhabi makes bid to create new global oil benchmark

The new clean energy agreement will also lower the carbon intensity of ADNOC’s aviation fuel, positioning it as one of the lowest carbon intensity Jet-A1 fuels available. As part of the partnership, the clean energy supplied to ADNOC will be validated via I-REC Clean Energy Certificates registered by EWEC.

H.H. Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has launched a landmark clean energy agreement between #ADNOC and EWEC. Under the agreement, up to 100% of ADNOC’s grid power will come from clean energy sources. pic.twitter.com/X4vOCkSs03

— ADNOC Group (@AdnocGroup) October 26, 2021

EWEC will also benefit from long-term electricity offtake for its current and future renewable and clean power sources, which include solar and nuclear power, the statement added.

Sheikh Khaled emphasised the importance of capitalising on opportunities to achieve the UAE 2050 net zero emissions target. “The clean energy partnership between ADNOC and EWEC brings together two major UAE entities to unlock mutual value as they harness the nation’s energy resources to drive economic progress. This pioneering partnership highlights ADNOC’s vital role in investing in transformative innovations, advancing decarbonisation efforts, and supporting the diversification of the UAE’s energy portfolio.”

We’re marking our new clean energy agreement with EWEC at #ADNOC Headquarters, as we move towards a lower carbon future in line with the UAE’s net zero by 2050 initiative. pic.twitter.com/aOlrihewm1

— ADNOC Group (@AdnocGroup) October 26, 2021

“ADNOC is committed to responsibly providing the world’s energy needs with a determined focus on decarbonising our operations, lowering our carbon intensity and strengthening
our environmental stewardship and economic performance. As we embrace the energy transition, and prepare for COP 26, ADNOC extends an open invitation to new and existing partners to join us in delivering practical solutions to secure a cleaner energy future,” adds Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and managing director and group CEO of ADNOC.

Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, chief executive officer of ADQ and chairman of Emirates Water and Electricity Company, said: “The Abu Dhabi energy sector has been on an progressive and
strategic path towards sustainability. This long-term clean energy supply agreement is a testament to the targeted investment EWEC has placed in developing world leading renewable projects, and
the UAE’s vision in developing the first nuclear energy plant in the Arab World.”

ADNOC has made considerable strides in pursuing low-carbon energy options. In August, it announced that it will send blue ammonia to Japan’s Itochu Corp. for use in fertilizer production.

Read more: UAE’s ADNOC sells trial cargo of blue ammonia to Japan firm

Meanwhile, ADNOC, Mubadala and ADQ, signed an MoU in January this year to establish the Abu Dhabi Hydrogen Alliance.

Read: Mubadala, ADNOC and ADQ form alliance to grow green hydrogen economy in the UAE

ADNOC also joined over 100 companies from around the world in the global Hydrogen Council this year.

Read: Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC joins global Hydrogen Council