Abu dhabi: H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs, witnessed the groundbreaking of the world's largest renewable energy project integrating solar power and battery storage. This project is capable of delivering 1 gigawatt (GW) of baseload renewable energy continuously at a globally competitive tariff.
According to Emirates News Agency, the project is developed by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC - Masdar and Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC). It features a 5.2GW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant and a 19 gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery energy storage system (BESS), which is the largest and most advanced of its kind globally.
The project aims to overcome the challenges of intermittency in renewable energy, producing gigascale baseload energy at a competitive tariff for the first time. It sets a new international benchmark, reinforcing the UAE's leadership in renewable energy development. The initiative will act as a model that can be replicated globally to meet the increasing demand for clean, secure, and continuous power.
With a capital investment exceeding AED22 billion, the project is expected to create over 10,000 jobs and new manufacturing facilities. It will also reduce approximately 5.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually when it becomes operational in 2027.
The design incorporates advanced technologies, including virtual power plant capabilities, grid-forming, black start capabilities, and AI-enhanced forecasting and intelligent dispatch. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, highlighted the project as a step towards redefining renewable energy's role in the information age, supported by the UAE leadership.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, emphasized the project's significance as a pivotal moment in clean energy transformation. He stated that by overcoming intermittency challenges, sustainable power could meet the fast-growing demand driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and other technologies.
Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, CEO at Emirates Water and Electricity Company, acknowledged the project as a testament to the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He noted that the project ensures sustainable energy needs for the AI sector, powering the next generation of economic growth.
Masdar aims to expand its presence in battery storage, targeting a project portfolio capacity of 100GW across clean energy technologies by 2030.