ADEWA announces list pre-qualified companies for participation in the competition to select a developer of 350MW Solar PV Independent Power Project

ABU DHABI, 25th April, 2016 (WAM) -- The Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority ("ADWEA") formally announces the list of pre-qualified companies for participation in the competitive process to select a developer or developer consortium to own up to 40 per cent of a project company to be incorporated under the laws of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and UAE in relation to a 350MW Solar PV Independent Power Project located at Sweihan, Emirate of Abu Dhabi (the "Project").

The remaining 60 per cent equity will be held, directly or indirectly, by ADWEA.

Over 90 companies originally responded to ADWEAs request for an Expression of Interest, published in reputable international and local press in December 2015, of which 48 companies subsequently submitted their Statement of Qualifications, in accordance with a Request for Qualification sent on 10 March 2016 to all companies who had expressed interest within the stated timeframe.

Following a comprehensive review process carried out by the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Company ("ADWEC" or the "Procurer") of the Statement of Qualifications received, 34 companies (including local companies) have now been selected as Pre-qualified Parties in accordance with applicable criteria and such companies have received a detailed Request for Proposal. Of these 34 companies, 8 have been Pre-qualified on a sole stand-alone basis, or as part of an already formed consortium, and are free to submit a Proposal on such basis without the need to form or join a consortium.

The remaining 26 companies have been Pre-qualified on a conditional basis and have been advised that within 28 days they are required to join, or form a consortium, subject to certain specified conditions, before they are formally pre-qualified to submit a Proposal. Based on the specific conditions governing the formation of consortia defined by the Procurer a maximum of 15 bids can be received. The deadline for Bid Submission has been set in the RFP for 19 September 2016.

The Pre-qualified Bidders are as follows: Acciona / Swicorp (as consortium), Acme, ACWA Power, Adani, Alfanar / Building Energy (as consortium), Canadian Solar, China State Construction Engineering Corporation, EDF Energies Nouvelles, Elecnor, Enel, Engie, Equis, First Solar, Fotowatio FRV, Golden Concord Holdings / PAL Technology (as consortium), Hindustan Clean Energy, Intecsa / Cobra (as consortium), JGC, Jinko Solar, Kepco / GS Engineering & Construction / Hanwha Q Cells (as consortium), Mainstream, Marubeni, Masdar, Mitsui, Phelan Energy Group, ReNew Solar Power / Japan Renewable Energy (as consortium), RWE / Belectric (as consortium), Sojitz, Solar Reserve , Spectrum / Maessa / Leighton Contracting (as consortium), Stumpf / MENA Infrastructure Fund (as consortium), Tenaga, Total / Sunpower (as consortium),TSK.

The Project will comprise, inter alia, the development, financing, construction, operation, maintenance and ownership of a greenfield renewable power generation plant of 350 MW of power generation capacity, together with associated infrastructure (the "Plant"). The Plant will be located in the Eastern Region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, near the town of Sweihan approximately 120 km east of the city of Abu Dhabi, and in the vicinity of an existing high voltage substation, to which it will be connected. The Project will be structured as an independent power project and will draw upon the contractual templates of the successful ADWEA I(W)PP programme.

ADWEAs Chairman, Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed stated that "this Project will support the Emirate of Abu Dhabis achievements in sustainability and energy diversification through the use of renewable and clean energy, in accordance with the vision of the Late Founding Father and President of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, who through his vision, dedication and wisdom championed environmental stewardship, and through the continuation of such vision and leadership by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the directions of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and the oversight of the Abu Dhabi Government".

ADWEAs Director General, Faris Obaid Al Dhaheri indicated that ADWEA will continue its leadership role in relation to sustainability and in supporting renewable energy. He also highlighted that the Plant will enhance the position of the United Arab Emirates in general and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in particular as global centers of solar power.

ADWECs Managing Director, Mohammed bin Jarsh stated that in addition to the generation of 350 MW of renewable energy, the quantity of gas to generate power using conventional means will be reduced, which will improve upon the economic performance of the water and electricity sector.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2016.