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Emirates Water and Electricity Company has opened registration for its fourth-quarter 2026 Clean Energy Certificates auction, according to a statement issued through the Emirates News Agency. The process enables businesses and organisations to acquire verified attributes from renewable and clean electricity sources as part of efforts to meet environmental commitments. Registration will remain open until October 30, with the competitive process designed to match growing demand for such instruments. EWEC acts as the single registrant and operator of the scheme, a role it has held since the programme’s regulatory framework took shape.
The Clean Energy Certificates programme, introduced by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy in 2021, has developed into a key mechanism for verifying clean electricity consumption, an EWEC statement reported. Each certificate corresponds to the environmental attributes of one megawatt-hour of zero-emissions energy generated from sources including solar, nuclear and wind. Participants can use the certificates to substantiate claims, reduce Scope 2 emissions and demonstrate progress toward sustainability objectives. The programme aligns with broader national initiatives that prioritise measurable environmental outcomes.
EWEC maintains its position as the entity responsible for issuing certificates through quarterly auctions and direct agreements, the company statement indicated. Organisations from sectors such as industry, healthcare and real estate have participated in prior rounds, reflecting increased adoption across the economy. A 2023 auction completed by EWEC resulted in the sale of more than 9 million certificates, according to earlier company figures that illustrate the scale of interest. This demand has continued to build in subsequent years.
The utility is expanding Abu Dhabi’s clean energy infrastructure to support certificate availability, EWEC data shows. Solar generation capacity is targeted to reach 14 gigawatts by 2030 and surpass 35 gigawatts by 2035 under the company’s procurement roadmap. These additions form part of a strategic push that also incorporates battery storage and other technologies. The growth directly feeds into the supply of certificates available for purchase.
Certificates issued under the programme comply with the internationally recognised I-REC Standard and serve as the sole accredited verification tool in Abu Dhabi, according to the regulatory policy. This framework allows entities to formally document their clean energy usage in a transparent manner. The competitive auction employs a Pay-as-Bid clearing mechanism, under which participants submit offers for their desired volumes. Reserve prices apply to the solar, nuclear and wind categories and are communicated upon registration.
The initiative supports the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, a long-term plan that has guided national energy policy for several years, government announcements confirm. EWEC coordinates procurement and system operations across a significant portion of the country’s power sector, positioning it to facilitate wider clean energy integration. Similar auctions conducted earlier in 2026 attracted strong participation, building on sales volumes that reached elevated levels throughout 2025. The current registration period provides another opportunity for entities seeking to align operations with these goals.
Interested parties can complete registration through the dedicated portal at EWEC’s website or by contacting the company’s Clean Energy Certificates team directly, the statement advised. Results from the Q4 auction are expected to be announced shortly after the registration window closes. The process forms one element of EWEC’s ongoing work to expand verified clean energy options available to commercial and institutional users throughout the emirate.
