2:36 pm - September 2, 2025
Turner & Townsend has been appointed by TAQA Transmission to provide programme management advisory services to oversee the retirement of a 1,640 MW power plant in eastern Abu Dhabi, slated for decommissioning in 2029, and its replacement with a faster, cleaner energy system. The engagement will establish a Programme Management Office to coordinate a broad upgrade of transmission and distribution infrastructure, enabling greater solar and nuclear integration and strengthening long-term grid resilience.
Turner & Townsend has been appointed by TAQA Transmission to provide programme management advisory services to oversee the retirement of a major Abu Dhabi power plant, framed as a stepping stone to a faster, cleaner energy system across the emirate. The plant, located in eastern Abu Dhabi, currently runs at about 1,640 MW with a reactive power rating of 1,200 MVAr and is slated for decommissioning in 2029. In its place, the authorities plan an upgraded, more energy-efficient facility that places a strong emphasis on integrating solar and nuclear power to support decarbonisation. Turner & Townsend said it will establish a Programme Management Office to coordinate a broad upgrade of the transmission and distribution network, enabling new grid and switching stations, substations, cable corridors, capacitor banks and high‑voltage overhead lines as part of a long‑term regional system enhancement. The firm’s regional lead for natural resources in the Middle East added that the engagement will require innovative delivery models to deliver a future‑fit energy infrastructure. The company stresses that the project aims to secure a reliable and efficient power supply across Abu Dhabi and its surroundings. (turnerandtownsend.com)
The appointment sits within TAQA Transmission’s broader push to future‑proof the UAE’s energy networks as demand grows and technology evolves. TAQA Transmission, formerly TRANSCO, is tasked with planning, building, operating and maintaining high‑voltage transmission links that connect generation facilities to distribution networks, underpinning the emirate’s and the country’s resilience goals. In parallel with the retirement and upgrade programme, TAQA Transmission is pursuing a series of high‑profile reinforcement projects to enable greater renewable penetration and system flexibility. (turnerandtownsend.com, taqatransmission.com)
The move is one strand of a wider UAE energy‑transition agenda. In a related development, TAQA and Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) announced a 24‑year power purchase agreement to build and operate a 1 GW open‑cycle gas turbine plant in Al Dhafra, a facility designed to meet peaking and fast‑response needs while supporting a broader push toward dispatchable low‑carbon power. The project forms part of a broader push to secure reliable power as the UAE scales up renewables and tests new technologies, according to The National’s coverage of the deal in April 2025. (thenationalnews.com)
More broadly, the UAE is pursuing an ambitious energy plan that includes Masdar’s “round the clock” renewable facility and related grid integration efforts. EWEC’s own communications describe the 1 GW Al Dhafra OCGT project as part of a strategic package to deliver reliable, lower‑carbon power and to connect new generation to the grid, reinforcing the country’s Net Zero and AI strategy objectives. TAQA Transmission would play a key role in developing the grid infrastructure required to connect these new generation sources to end users. (ewec.ae)
TAQA Transmission has already been advancing grid flexibility and resilience through other technology investments. In 2024 it activated two of the UAE’s largest phase‑shifting transformers and commissioned the country’s largest dynamic reactive power system, along with substantial capacitor banks in Al Ain, as part of a planned network of 29 reactive power systems across Abu Dhabi’s grid. Company leadership emphasised that these projects are designed to support a diversified energy mix, including renewables and nuclear, while maintaining power quality and reliability as the energy transition progresses. (taqatransmission.com)
The region’s shifting energy mix is further underpinned by other cross‑border and offshore projects that intersect with TAQA’s grid plans. ADNOC and TAQA announced a landmark subsea HVDC transmission project to power offshore operations, the financial close for which was reported in Zawya‑coverage and later highlighted by TAQA Transmission as part of the UAE’s broader decarbonisation and in‑country value initiatives. These initiatives, together with on‑shore grid upgrades, are intended to strengthen security of supply and enable greater integration of renewables and cleaner generation sources. (khaleejtimes.com, zawya.com)
Taken together, the TAQA Transmission initiative to retire a large but ageing plant and replace it with a more efficient, renewables‑friendly system reflects a coherent strategy to modernise Abu Dhabi’s transmission and distribution backbone. While Turner & Townsend’s appointment focuses on programme controls and delivery, the surrounding policy and industry developments underscore a coordinated push to decarbonise electricity supply while maintaining reliability and affordability for consumers. Speaking about the broader programme, TAQA Transmission’s leaders and partner organisations emphasise a future‑proof grid that will accommodate larger renewable shares, new storage and emerging generation technologies as the UAE progresses toward its energy‑transition ambitions. (turnerandtownsend.com, taqatransmission.com, ewec.ae)
Source Panel
– Turner & Townsend: Turner & Townsend to support the decarbonisation of a key power plant in Abu Dhabi
– The National: TAQA and EWEC to develop 1GW gas turbine plant in Abu Dhabi to support tech push
– Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC): TAQA and EWEC advance Abu Dhabi’s AI strategy through state‑of‑the‑art energy infrastructure projects
– TAQA Transmission: TAQA Transmission strengthens UAE power system resilience and sustainability with landmark projects
– EWEC press release: EWEC, TAQA, ENGIE, and Sumitomo Corporation announce reconfiguration and extension of Shuweihat 1 to support integration of renewables and clean energy
– ADNOC: ADNOC and TAQA announce project to power and decarbonize offshore operations
– Zawya (as cited by TAQA Transmission): ADNOC and TAQA announce financial close of subsea HVDC transmission project to decarbonise offshore operations
Notes on latest developments and dates
– Turner & Townsend’s formal announcement of the Abu Dhabi engagement was published on 20 August 2025, aligning with TAQA Transmission’s ongoing grid projects and the UAE’s broader transition plan. The spokesperson quoted by Turner & Townsend emphasised the need for innovative delivery models to achieve optimal performance for a future‑proof energy infrastructure. (turnerandtownsend.com)
– The 1 GW Al Dhafra OCGT project and the associated 24‑year PPA between TAQA and EWEC were publicly announced in April 2025, illustrating parallel efforts to balance dispatchable generation with a rising renewable share. (ewec.ae, thenationalnews.com)
– The UAE’s wider strategy includes Masdar’s 24/7 renewable vision and Shuweihat 1 reconfiguration to support renewables‑driven reliability, underscoring how grid upgrades, long‑term PPAs and transmission investments are converging to bolster energy security and decarbonisation. (ewec.ae)
If you’d like, I can rework the piece to emphasise a particular angle—such as the financial structuring behind these projects, the technology mix driving the decarbonisation push, or how the Abu Dhabi grid is adapting to a high-renewables future—while maintaining the same source attributions and parallel developments.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/turner-and-townsend-to-support-the-decarbonisation-of-a-key-power-plant-in-abu-dhabi-ipfm1dv9 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/turner-and-townsend-to-support-the-decarbonisation-of-a-key-power-plant-in-abu-dhabi-ipfm1dv9 – Turner & Townsend has been appointed by TAQA Transmission to provide programme management consultancy for retirement of Abu Dhabi’s power plant. The plant currently generates 1640 MW and 1200 MVAr and is slated for decommissioning in 2029. The replacement will be a more energy‑efficient facility, prioritising the integration of solar and nuclear power to support decarbonisation. Turner & Townsend will establish a Programme Management Office and offer strategic support for a comprehensive upgrade to transmission and distribution networks, enabling new grid and switching stations, substations, cable corridors, capacitor banks, and high‑voltage lines. TAQA Transmission emphasises innovation to future‑proof region’s energy networks.
- https://www.turnerandtownsend.com/news/turner-townsend-to-support-the-decarbonisation-of-a-key-power-plant-in-abu-dhabi/ – Turner & Townsend has been appointed by TAQA Transmission to provide programme management consultancy for retirement of Abu Dhabi’s power plant. The plant currently generates 1640 MW and 1200 MVAr and is slated for decommissioning in 2029. The replacement will be a more energy‑efficient facility, prioritising the integration of solar and nuclear power to support decarbonisation. Turner & Townsend will establish a Programme Management Office and offer strategic support for a comprehensive upgrade to transmission and distribution networks, enabling new grid and switching stations, substations, cable corridors, capacitor banks, and high‑voltage lines. TAQA Transmission emphasises innovation to future‑proof region’s networks globally.
- https://taqatransmission.com/node/115 – TAQA Transmission has announced milestones reinforcing the resilience and sustainability of the UAE’s power system. The company activated two of the emirate’s largest phase‑shifting transformers, enabling improved control of electricity flow and better integration of renewable energy into the grid. It has also commissioned the country’s largest dynamic reactive power system along with a sizeable static reactive power installation in Al Ain, aimed at maintaining voltage stability and power quality. These technologies underpin the UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050 and Net Zero initiatives, with TAQA Transmission planning 29 reactive power systems across Abu Dhabi’s grid to strengthen reliability for all customers.
- https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/energy/2025/04/03/taqa-and-ewec-to-develop-1gw-gas-turbine-plant-in-abu-dhabi-to-support-tech-push/ – TAQA and Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) have signed a 24‑year power purchase agreement to build and operate a one‑gigawatt open‑cycle gas turbine plant in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi. TAQA will own and oversee operation and maintenance, while its TAQA Transmission subsidiary will construct the grid connections. The project supports Masdar’s pioneering round‑the‑clock renewable facility, delivering dispatchable power to complement solar energy. Estimated at about Dh36 billion, the package will channel roughly three‑quarters into generation and 25% into grid infrastructure, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s energy security while supporting the UAE’s energy‑transition ambitions.
- https://www.adnoc.ae/en/news-and-media/press-releases/2021/adnoc-and-taqa-announce-project-to-power-and-decarbonize-offshore-operations – ADNOC and TAQA have announced a landmark $3.6 billion project to power and significantly decarbonize offshore production, establishing a subsea HVDC transmission system in the MENA region. Led by an international consortium, the scheme will build, own, operate and transfer the transmission system, returning control to ADNOC after 35 years. The network will replace offshore gas turbines with cleaner onshore power, reducing emissions and enhancing reliability. The project forms part of a broader strategy to decarbonise operations and support UAE Net Zero goals, with substantial in‑country value creation and long‑term energy security benefits.
- https://www.zawya.com/en/business/energy/abu-dhabis-adnoc-taqa-announce-financial-close-of-sub-sea-transmission-project-e9s7ldlj – Zawya reports that ADNOC and TAQA have reached financial close on a $3.8 billion subsea HVDC transmission project to decarbonise offshore operations and connect to TAQA’s onshore grid. The scheme, BOOT with KEPCO, Kyuden and EDF, will deliver a 3.2 GW transmission system and is expected to commence commercial operation in 2025. The investment signals a major step in UAE energy transition, reducing emissions, boosting energy security, and driving in‑country value. The arrangement will be returned to ADNOC after 35 years of operation. Discussions highlighted long‑term reliability, national resilience, and opportunities for local suppliers through project lifecycle across the UAE.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
✅ Fresh primary announcement dated 20 August 2025 on Turner & Townsend’s corporate communications page (Turner & Townsend). 🕰️ Related, earlier but distinct developments (e.g. the 1GW Al Dhafra PPA) were publicly announced in April 2025 (EWEC / The National), which the narrative correctly cites. ⚠️ The Turner & Townsend text appears to be a press release that was republished verbatim on distribution channels such as Zawya; this is normal for corporate announcements but means the narrative is a planned communication rather than investigative reporting. 🟨 No substantially similar narrative was published earlier than 20 August 2025; the closest related items (Al Dhafra PPA, Shuweihat reconfiguration) date to April 2025. Because the item is a direct corporate announcement, freshness is high, but note the reuse across press-distribution networks.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
✅ The direct quotes attributed to Turner & Townsend (Tarek Hamade) appear verbatim in the Turner & Townsend release (20 Aug 2025) and are reproduced identically on republishers (for example Zawya). 🕵️♂️ Earliest online instance of those quotes is the Turner & Townsend page itself. ⚠️ Identical reproduction on press-distribution outlets indicates quotes are from the corporate announcement (not independently obtained). If the narrative had presented the quotes as exclusive journalism, that would be misleading; here they are presented as corporate statements.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
✅ Primary attributions are to recognised, verifiable organisations: Turner & Townsend (official website), TAQA Transmission / TAQA (corporate entity), and EWEC (official site). These organisations have clear public presences and press pages (turnerandtownsend.com; taqatransmission.com; ewec.ae). ✅ Independent coverage of related developments exists in established outlets (The National, Khaleej Times). ⚠️ The narrative is built from corporate communications and related public announcements rather than independent investigative reporting; this lowers the independence of claims but not the verifiability of the named organisations.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
✅ Claims are plausible and consistent with corroborated information: Turner & Townsend’s appointment (20 Aug 2025 release), TAQA/EWEC 1GW Al Dhafra PPA (3 Apr 2025), and EWEC’s Shuweihat 1 reconfiguration (28 Apr 2025) are all publicly documented. ✅ Technical figures cited (1,640 MW and 1,200 MVAr) match the Turner & Townsend announcement and are plausible for a large thermal plant. ⚠️ The narrative projects future plans (decommission in 2029; integration of solar and nuclear) — these are stated plans and depend on future decisions and financing; treat forward-looking statements as conditional. 🔎 The narrative contains sufficient factual anchors (named organisations, dates, capacities) and is covered elsewhere by reputable outlets, so plausibility is high.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
✅ The narrative is a corporate announcement first published by Turner & Townsend on 20 August 2025 (Turner & Townsend communications). 🕰️ Related industry items cited in the narrative (notably the TAQA–EWEC 24‑year PPA for the 1GW Al Dhafra OCGT) were publicly announced in April 2025 and corroborated by EWEC and independent coverage (The National, Khaleej Times). ⚠️ The main risks are: (1) the text is a press release reproduced across distribution networks (Zawya et al.), so it is not independent reporting; (2) forward‑looking claims (decommissioning in 2029; future integration of nuclear/solar) are plans and subject to change. ✅ Major factual elements (appointment, capacities, dates of related PPA announcements) are verifiable on official organisation pages. Overall: PASS — the narrative is authentic corporate communication with high verifiability, but editors should note it is a press release (reproduced across outlets) and treat future projections as conditional. ‼️
