Abu Dhabi has officially broken ground on the world’s largest renewable energy project integrating solar power and battery storage, a landmark development that will deliver 1 gigawatt (GW) of baseload renewable energy around the clock at a globally competitive tariff.
The groundbreaking 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 for the UAE’s clean energy transition.
The world-first project is being developed by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar and the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC).
Abu Dhabi solar project
It combines a 5.2GW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant with a 19 gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) — the largest and most advanced of its kind anywhere in the world.
Once operational, the facility will overcome the intermittency challenge that has traditionally limited renewable power by delivering gigascale baseload energy 24 hours a day.
The project represents a capital investment exceeding AED22bn ($6bn) and is expected to create more than 10,000 jobs, alongside new manufacturing facilities.
When operational in 2027, it will avoid around 5.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
Cutting edge technology
The system will also feature cutting-edge technologies, including virtual power plant integration, AI-enhanced forecasting, intelligent dispatch, and grid-forming and black start capabilities — setting new international benchmarks in renewable innovation.
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.”
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, said: “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.
“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.”
Sustainable power
Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, CEO at EWEC, said: ““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 has built a strong international track record in battery storage technology, including the world’s first storage system connected to a floating offshore wind farm.
The company currently has projects in operation and development across multiple countries and aims to achieve a total clean energy portfolio of 100GW by 2030.
This unprecedented initiative reinforces Abu Dhabi’s global leadership in renewable energy innovation and underlines the UAE’s commitment to building a sustainable, diversified, and technology-driven energy future.
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