Four AE94.3A gas turbines by Ansaldo Energia will form the core of the new Al Dhafra power plant in the Abu Dhabi emirate. Commissioned by TAQA, the plant will have a total installed capacity of 1 GW. This project marks a major step forward in strengthening the region’s energy infrastructure and security. Scheduled to become operational by May 2027, the plant will operate alongside a photovoltaic park, one of the largest in the world. In addition to the gas turbines, Ansaldo Energia will supply the associated generators and will oversee installation and commissioning activities. The agreement also includes a Long-Term Service Agreement (LTSA), ensuring continuous monitoring and technical support for the plant in the years to come.
The AE94.3A turbine has proven its value through exceptional performance in operational flexibility, reliability, and cost efficiency. Its dynamic response to grid demands makes it particularly well-suited to supporting the integration of intermittent, non-dispatchable renewable energy sources. With over 120 units sold globally and more than 5 million equivalent operating hours, the AE94.3A has seen a surge in demand over the past two years, demonstrating its strong fit for the evolving needs of the power generation sector.
“We are proud to contribute to this important project in the UAE” says Stefano Gianatti, Executive Vice President Thermal Power New Units of Ansaldo Energia. "The collaboration with TAQA is the crowning achievement of Ansaldo Energia's decades-long presence in the country. Abu Dhabi is home to Ansaldo Energia Gulf and to our Middle East Service Hub, which play a key role in providing operational support to our customers in the area. Ansaldo Energia Gulf is also home to one of the two centres of our remote diagnostics system (IPS - Integrated Plant Support), which, in close contact with its twin in Genoa, ensures the continuous monitoring of turbines and generators installed in dozens of plants around the world.”
