Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) have announced the successful financial closing of their $3.8 billion strategic project to power and significantly decarbonize ADNOC’s offshore production operations.

The innovative project progressed rapidly from concept to development phase with construction starting in early 2022, underscoring both ADNOC and TAQA’s leading positions to drive climate action and support the ‘UAE Net-Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative’.

According to the statement, “Together with a consortium comprised of Korea Electric Power (KEPCO), Kyushu Electric Power Company (Kyuden), and Électricité de France (EDF) (the Consortium), this is a first-of-its-kind high-voltage direct current (HVDC) sub-sea transmission network in the MENA region.”

The Consortium will build, own, operate, and transfer the state-of-the-art transmission system alongside ADNOC and TAQA, with the full project being returned to ADNOC after 35 years of operation.

As per the company, the development is expected to reduce the carbon footprint of ADNOC’s offshore operations by more than 30 percent, replacing existing offshore gas turbine generators with more sustainable power sources available on the Abu Dhabi onshore power network, operated by TAQA’s wholly owned subsidiary, Abu Dhabi Transmission and Despatch Company (TRANSCO).

His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Chairman of TAQA, said that, “TAQA is taking a progressive role in accelerating the UAE’s energy transition by delivering cohesive solutions that enable cleaner sources of power to fuel economic growth.”

“Reaching financial close is an important milestone for this distinctive project, which will see TAQA providing ADNOC offshore facilities with low-carbon energy securely and efficiently through TRANSCO’s power network system. TAQA continues to showcase how its expertise can be utilized to decarbonize industry through strategic partnerships and bringing value to its stakeholders,” Mr. Alsuwaidi added.