Emirates Water and Electricity Company (Ewec) has announced the successful completion of the transfer of the Load Despatch Centre (LDC) function to its own assets from Abu Dhabi Transmission & Despatch Company (Transco).
A leading company in the integrated system of coordinating planning, purchasing and supplying of water and electricity across the UAE, Ewec said this will ensure that the Abu Dhabi government continues to have control and visibility over the load control and dispatch operations of the power generation and water desalination plants.
Also it will control the delivery of these services through the transmission and distribution networks including those owned and operated by Transco, Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) and Al Ain Distribution Company (AADC), respectively.
Announcing the successful transfer, Ewec said with this new function, Ewec will be responsible for the scheduling and despatch of water and electricity from independent water and power producers (IWPPs), which will continue to be carried via the transmission networks operated by Transco, a subsidiary of Taqa Group.
It will also help shape Abu Dhabi’s energy portfolio, minimizing costs and providing increased security from a more integrated system.
In addition, Ewec will lead operational planning and studies that support real-time operations and balancing of supply and demand.
The new load despatch function is in addition to Ewec’s existing role as the sole procurer of water and electricity within Abu Dhabi and beyond, with the mandate to ensure the supply of water and power to consumers.
CEO Othman Al Ali said: "EWEC is on a strategic path to advance integration within Abu Dhabi’s energy sector to increase optimization, improve efficiencies, and diversify the energy production portfolio, with a focus on sustainability."
"Along with our partners in the energy sector we have spent 18 months planning and progressing the smooth transition of the Load Despatch Centre function from Transco to Ewec, transferring operational systems to Ewec with no interruption to services," he stated.
"With the transfer of this function to Ewec successfully completed, it is now responsible for short and long-term operation and planning of water and electricity production, plus procurement of capacities and system despatch services, in addition to other sector services," noted Al Ali.
"In this role, we can fully leverage a coordinated approach to operational planning, and lead the change in the energy sector in support of UAE Energy Strategy 2050 and the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative," he added.
Transco CEO Dr Afif Saif Al Yafei said: "We remain focused on supporting the nation’s energy transition through the planning, construction, operation and maintenance of the critical infrastructure of high-voltage power and bulk water transmission networks within Abu Dhabi and beyond."
"We are determined to facilitate a more sustainable energy future by providing safe, sustainable, economic and reliable transmission networks that connect generation companies to distribution companies, as well as other customers," he added.
