Below is a description of each of our Sponsors.
Local Sponsor:
TAQA
TAQA is a global diversified utilities and energy company headquartered in Abu Dhabi with significant investments across 11 countries in power and water generation, transmission and distribution assets, as well as upstream and midstream oil and gas operations. It is one of the largest listed integrated utilities in the region. It provides virtually all the critical power and water infrastructure for Abu Dhabi’s economy. Following the acquisition of ADPower’s generation, transmission and distribution assets, TAQA has developed into the national energy and water champion to lead the transformation of Abu Dhabi’s utilities sector. As at December 31, 2020, TAQA’s operational assets included:
→ majority interests in ten completed and operational gas-fired and one completed and operational renewable power generation and water desalination assets in the UAE;
→ the power and water transmission company that services Abu Dhabi and five of the remaining six emirates in the UAE; and
→ two power and water distribution companies that service the whole of Abu Dhabi.
TAQA has minority equity interests in three UAE generation plants under construction. The remaining interest in each of the plants is held by various international and local partners.
TAQA benefits from exclusivity rights granted in 2020 that allow it to participate in all power generation and water desalination projects tendered in Abu Dhabi up to February 2030 with a minimum 40% equity share. As a result, TAQA expects that by 2030 more than 30% of its power generation capacity will be derived from renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, and more than two-thirds of its water desalination capacity will be produced through RO technology.
International Sponsors:
ENGIE and Sojitz
ENGIE
ENGIE is a global energy and services group focused on four major activities: client solutions, renewable energy sources, networks, and thermal power generation. Driven by the aim of contributing to a harmonious progress, ENGIE is facing up to major challenges such as combating global warming, access to energy for all, and mobility. The group is one of the largest independent power producers globally, with total capacities of electricity generation at 101 GW. ENGIE’s global power production is supported by a 254,000 km gas distribution network, a 40,600 km gas transmission network, a 3,300 km electricity transmission network and 4,000 km in development. ENGIE employs 170,000 people globally and is listed on the Paris, Brussels and Luxembourg stock exchanges. ENGIE is one of the leaders in power and water generation in the Asia, Middle East and Africa region with power generation capacity of 36 GW and desalination capacity of 1,200 MIGD. In the Middle East and Africa region, ENGIE is the leading O&M operator of power and water plants; it operates 12 O&M companies across the region with a technically skilled workforce of 2,500 employees. In the UAE, ENGIE has a 20% indirect ownership interest in six of the 11 operational independent power and water projects. In June 2021, Moody’s, Fitch and S&P reaffirmed their ratings on ENGIE S.A. (which is the ultimate parent company of International Power Ltd.) at Baa1, A- and BBB+, respectively. Through its global network of experts, ENGIE is able to share knowledge, best practices and resources in areas like health, safety and the environment, mechanical, electrical, chemistry, digitalization and procurement.
ENGIE recently announced a new strategic orientation focused on industrial excellence and an empowering organization which:
→ is concentrated on core activities;
→ has a focused geographic footprint (<30 countries by 2023); and
→ is streamlined with clear accountability into four global business units.
ENGIE also recently announced strong commitments to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045, with clear targets for 2030:
(i) a 34% reduction in CO2 emissions from the use of products sold by it;
(ii) 58% of renewables in the energy mix; and
(iii) a 52% reduction in CO2 emissions per kWh of energy produced.
ENGIE recognizes that thermal (natural gas based) power generation is key for providing flexibility to balance the intermittency of renewables. It focuses on long-term, contracted thermal projects with strong focus on continuous performance excellence and maximizing efficiency.
Sojitz
Sojitz was established in 2004 with the merger of two major Japanese trading houses, Nissho Iwai and Nichimen, both of which had over 100 years of operating history. The activities of Sojitz range from trading to investments in various sectors, including financing arrangements. Sojitz currently comprises seven major business divisions: automotive; aerospace and transportation; metals, mineral resources and recycling; infrastructure and healthcare (which is responsible for the independent power projects business); chemicals; consumer industry and agriculture; and retail and consumer service.
As a power and utility developer, Sojitz, which is rated BBB- by S&P, has global independent power and water project experience, including gas combined power, renewables (including solar PV, on- and off-shore wind, biomass) and seawater desalination. Within the GCC, Sojitz has developed and owns three power projects, namely Barka-3 and Sohar-2 in Oman, and PP11 in Saudi Arabia. All of these projects achieved early power completion in 2012 and started full operation in early 2013. Outside the GCC, Sojitz’s experience in the gas combined power units includes projects across Indonesia, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Trinidad & Tobago, USA and Vietnam.
