His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, has witnessed the launch of the world’s largest combined solar power and battery storage project, capable of delivering 1 gigawatt (GW) of baseload renewable energy around the clock.
In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, this world-first project, developed by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar and Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), reimagines the potential of renewable energy by overcoming the barrier of intermittency. By producing gigascale baseload energy at a globally competitive tariff for the first time, the project sets a new international benchmark and reaffirms the UAE’s leadership position in renewable energy development.
The project will integrate a 5.2GW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant with a 19 gigawatt-hours (GWh) battery energy storage system (BESS), the largest and most technologically advanced system of its kind in the world. The design features cutting-edge technologies, including AI-enhanced forecasting and intelligent dispatch, and AI-ready infrastructure for predictive analytics and system optimization.
Once operational, the project will act as a blueprint that can be replicated internationally to meet the growing demand for clean, secure, round-the-clock power.
His Excellency Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, said: “Masdar and EWEC are breaking ground on the future, here in Abu Dhabi. With the unwavering support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, this gigascale project is a step towards redefining the role of renewable energy for the information age. 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.”
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer at Masdar, said: “This 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. We look forward to working closely with EWEC and our partners to deliver this landmark project, which will set the global standard for renewable energy development and support other nations in delivering on their clean energy objectives.”
Once complete, the project will deliver 1GW of continuous, clean baseload power 24/7 at a globally competitive tariff, avoiding approximately 5.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually and supporting the UAE’s ongoing efforts to diversify its energy mix. The facility is scheduled to be operational by 2027.
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