Abu Dhabi has officially launched the world’s largest integrated solar and battery storage project, a groundbreaking step toward delivering round-the-clock renewable energy at a globally competitive cost. The ceremony was witnessed by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, marking a historic milestone in the UAE’s clean energy journey.
The project, jointly developed by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar and Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), will integrate 5.2 gigawatts (GW) of solar power with a 19 gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery energy storage system (BESS). Once operational, it will deliver one gigawatt of continuous baseload renewable energy, overcoming the intermittency challenge that has long limited renewable sources.
Transforming Energy with Scale and Innovation
Valued at more than AED 22 billion ($6 billion), the project will create over 10,000 jobs and make a significant contribution to the UAE’s green economy. When completed in 2027, it will prevent around 5.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year, setting new global standards for sustainable power generation.
The system incorporates advanced technologies, including virtual power plant integration, AI-based forecasting, and intelligent grid dispatch. It will also include grid-forming and black start capabilities, enhancing grid stability and resilience. These innovations make the facility a model for nations seeking affordable and sustainable clean power solutions.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, said: “This breakthrough is the culmination of Masdar’s two decades of excellence in renewables and is testament to the power of collaboration in Abu Dhabi’s energy ecosystem. As the world looks for secure, sustainable and affordable energy, the UAE is proud to offer a new vision for technologically enabled growth.”
Pioneering a Sustainable Future
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, stated: “Today’s groundbreaking is a proud occasion for Masdar and the UAE, and represents a pivotal moment in clean energy transformation. This world-first project, the largest and most ambitious in Masdar’s history, is a blueprint for the world, demonstrating that renewable energy can be dispatched around the clock. By overcoming the challenge of intermittency, we can provide sustainable power to meet fast-growing demand from advancements in artificial intelligence and other technologies.”
Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, CEO at EWEC, added: “Abu Dhabi and the UAE are a global hub for artificial intelligence research, innovation, and adoption, and this project will ensure that the energy needs of this key sector are met sustainably, powering the next generation of economic growth. We are proud to have strategically collaborated with Masdar on this iconic project, and to break ground on a new era of energy in the UAE.”
Masdar’s growing expertise in large-scale energy storage, including its earlier development of the world’s first storage system linked to a floating offshore wind farm, underlines its global leadership. With projects operating across multiple countries and an ambitious goal of achieving a 100 GW clean energy portfolio by 2030, Masdar continues to position Abu Dhabi at the forefront of renewable energy innovation.
This landmark initiative reaffirms Abu Dhabi’s status as a global hub for sustainable development and its commitment to advancing a resilient, diversified, and technology-driven energy future.
