The globally recognised scheme empowers organisations across all sectors to definitively verify their clean energy consumption, reduce Scope 2 emissions, and advance their strategic sustainability objectives
Today, EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company), a leading company in the integrated coordination of planning, purchasing, supply, and system despatch services for water and electricity across the UAE, announced the opening of registration for its Q4 2026 Clean Energy Certificate (CEC) auction, providing a strategic commercial mechanism for organisations to decarbonise their operations.
Since its introduction by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) in 2021, the Regulatory Policy for Clean Energy Certificates has evolved into a cornerstone of the economic transition of the UAE. The scheme functions as a highly practical commercial asset, empowering entities across the industrial, real estate, healthcare, energy, and retail sectors to tangibly demonstrate their adherence to sustainable growth and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
As the Single Registrant and Scheme Operator, EWEC provides these certificates through competitive quarterly auctions and direct purchase agreements. The volume of available clean energy attributes is expanding at an unprecedented rate, directly reflecting EWEC's rapid execution of its strategic infrastructure pipeline. The company is actively scaling the utility-scale solar capacity of Abu Dhabi to a forecasted 14 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, and more than 35GW by 2035.
To further facilitate market participation, EWEC hosts comprehensive, in-person awareness sessions prior to auction windows, held in collaboration with partners and stakeholders from across the renewable and clean energy value chain. These strategic briefings detail the regulatory framework of the programme, the importance and benefits of CECs, and the exact procurement routes available.
Mohamed Almarzooqi, Chief Assets Officer of EWEC, said: “As we rapidly expand the clean energy infrastructure of Abu Dhabi, we are simultaneously deploying innovative mechanisms that empower organisations to completely eliminate their Scope 2 emissions, allow the wider economy to decarbonise, and enable industries to be competitive in international markets. Every solar and battery storage mega-project we commission increases the pool of verified renewable electricity available, ensuring that the corporate sector can advance in lockstep with the UAE towards a sustainable, resilient, and low-carbon future.”
Each certificate represents the precise environmental attributes of one megawatt-hour (MWh) of renewable or clean energy, strictly conforming to the internationally recognised I-REC Standard. CECs are accredited and recognised across the UAE to verify electricity consumption from clean energy sources and form the basis for organisations to make credible clean electricity claims.
EWEC invites organisations and businesses to participate in our upcoming auction to lower their Scope 2 emissions and drive long-term positive change for the UAE. Registration for the upcoming auction will close on 30 October 2026. The auction uses a competitive "Pay as Bid" clearing mechanism, under which participants bid for their clean energy allocation. Reserve prices are set for each certificate type – solar, nuclear, and wind – and are shared as part of the registration process.
Further information on Clean Energy Certificates is available at www.ewec.ae/cleanenergycertificates Enquiries can be directed to EWEC's Clean Energy Certificates team at CleanEnergyCertificates@ewec.ae
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About Emirates Water and Electricity Company
EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company) is the sole procurer and supplier of water and electricity in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. EWEC drives the planning, forecasting, purchasing, and system despatch services of water and electricity. EWEC fulfils these vital responsibilities through the short-term and long-term balancing of bulk supply and demand for distribution companies and authorities in Abu Dhabi and other Emirates. EWEC is supporting the government of Abu Dhabi and the government of the UAE by enabling the reduction of cost whilst also providing the increased security of supply that comes from a cleaner, larger, and more integrated system.
EWEC is mandated to implement strategic initiatives that will achieve the 60 per cent clean energy target outlined in the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy's (DoE) Clean Energy Strategic Target 2035 for Electricity Production in Abu Dhabi, in addition to enabling the achievement of UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, UAE Energy Strategy by 2050, and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. EWEC is accelerating Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s energy transition by diversifying the country’s energy mix through developing and deploying renewable and clean energy as well as low-carbon intensive water desalination capacities. EWEC is part of ADQ, an active sovereign investor focusing on critical infrastructure and global supply chains. For more information, please visit: www.ewec.ae.
