Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) is partnering with the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa), the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (Ewec), and Dubal Holding to expand solar generation capacity in the UAE and decarbonize aluminum production.
Ewec said on Wednesday that the cooperation, which is still awaiting approval, will help EGA attain net-zero energy by 2050 and assist Ewec's ambition to set up more renewable energy projects while also enhance output of CelestiAL solar aluminum.
Taqa and Dubal Holding are mulling a deal under which they will buy EGA's electricity generation assets in the UAE, including 6.47 GW of combined cycle gas power plants. The power generated will be supplied to the grid under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA).
EGA would purchase power from the grid under a long-term supply arrangement, making it the largest single consumer of the system and ensuring stable supply. The proposal would increase EGA's use of sustainable energy in its aluminum production by allowing it to use existing solar plants.
With the collaboration with EGA, Ewec will be able to generate more solar capacity in the Gulf countries. The projects that come from this program are estimated to produce more energy than the country's existing total installed solar capacity.
The construction of the world's two largest solar photovoltaic projects, Noor Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra PV in the UAE, has previously been overseen by Ewec. Taqa and Masdar, Abu Dhabi's laegest renewable energy firm, own a 60% share in Abu Dhabi's 2-GW Al Dhafra Solar PV project, from which Ewec would purchase electricity.
“We take another historic step toward reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050,” stated EGA CEO Abdulnasser Bin Kalban. “We're also ensuring that EGA's worldwide competitiveness will improve in the coming decades, not just as the world's largest 'premium aluminum' manufacturer, but also as one of the most environmentally friendly.”
In January 2021, EGA and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEGA) together unveiled CelestiAL, the world's first aluminum produced using solar power. DEGA supplies EGA’s smelter with 560,000 megawatt hours of solar energy yearly, which is sufficient for EGA to make 40,000 tonnes of aluminum in the first year with the potential for future expansion.
BMW Group became the first customer for EGA’s CelestiA. The automobiles manufacturer purchases 43,000 tonnes of CelestiAL per year, which helps reduce its carbon emissions by 222,000 tonnes per year.
