His Highness Sheikh Diab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the Presidential Court for Development Affairs and Families of Martyrs, witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony for the world’s first and largest renewable energy project of its kind. This initiative combines solar energy with a battery storage system to provide one gigawatt of clean base-load power around the clock at globally competitive rates.
The project is being developed and implemented by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company “Masdar”, in collaboration with Emirates Water and Electricity Company. It features a solar photovoltaic power plant with a capacity of 5.2 gigawatts, equipped with a battery storage system that has a capacity of 19 gigawatt-hours, making it the largest and most advanced of its kind globally.
This development is poised to revolutionize the renewable energy sector by addressing supply stability issues. Upon operational commencement, the project will generate clean base-load energy for the first time at competitive global rates, setting a new international benchmark.
Additionally, it will cement the United Arab Emirates’ position as a leader in the clean energy sector. The project is designed to serve as a replicable model in significant markets worldwide to meet the rising demand for dependable, clean energy sources that are available 24/7.
The investment in this project, scheduled to begin operation by 2027, exceeds 22 billion dirhams. It is expected to create over 10,000 job opportunities and lead to the establishment of new manufacturing facilities while avoiding approximately 5.7 million tons of carbon emissions annually.
The project employs a range of advanced technologies, including virtual power plant models, grid-forming capabilities, autonomous restart technologies, enhanced AI predictive capabilities, and smart energy distribution systems.
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, stated: “Thanks to the foresight and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and the continuous support from His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.”
Today, with the presence of His Highness Sheikh Diab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Masdar and Emirates Water and Electricity Company laid the foundation stone for this pioneering solar energy project in Abu Dhabi, marking the beginning of a new era in the global clean energy sector. The success of this project, the largest of its kind in the world, represents a transformative leap for renewable energy and supports the growth of the digital sector.
This step is the result of Masdar’s extensive experience and success in developing prominent renewable energy initiatives over the past two decades, underscoring the significance of collaboration and partnerships within Abu Dhabi’s energy ecosystem.
Furthermore, Dr. Abdullah Hamid Al-Ghurair, Head of the Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi, emphasized that the UAE’s journey in sustainable energy reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
Our steadfast commitment to transforming national ambitions into world-leading achievements reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a global model for adopting advanced technological solutions to achieve the optimal energy mix.
He added that this strategic project is a practical manifestation of this approach, providing sustainable renewable energy with a capacity of up to one gigawatt as base-load power and redefining the use of renewable energy to support economic growth. This will enhance the resilience of the national energy system to service critical sectors such as AI data centers.
He confirmed that, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi continues its efforts to develop and empower significant projects that contribute to building a comprehensive future energy landscape, enhancing the sustainability of the energy sector to ensure its efficiency, continuity, and competitiveness for future generations.
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Mohammed Jamil Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, expressed pride in laying the foundation for this world-first project, which serves as a landmark initiative supporting the UAE’s efforts to make a significant shift in clean energy. He described it as the most ambitious project in Masdar’s history and a leading global model.
He added that this project demonstrates the feasibility of providing continuous renewable energy and addresses the challenges of supply intermittency, subsequently offering a sustainable energy resource that meets the growing demands from AI and advanced technology sectors. We look forward to close collaboration with Emirates Water and Electricity Company and other partners to execute this pivotal project, unlocking new avenues in the global renewable energy sector and supporting the nation’s objectives for clean energy.
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Ahmad Ali Al Shamsi, CEO of Emirates Water and Electricity Company, stated that this groundbreaking project exemplifies the insightful vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and reaffirms Emirates Water and Electricity Company’s and its partners’ commitment to implementing transformative innovations that support national objectives.
With the UAE and Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for adopting AI research and innovation, this project ensures the sustainable energy needs of this vital sector are met. We take pride in our strategic collaboration with Masdar on this leading project that paves the way for a new energy era in the UAE.