The United Arab Emirates has officially commenced construction on an ambitious solar and battery storage project valued at Dh22 billion ($5.99 billion). If all goes according to plan, Masdar and the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) are leading the charge on an exciting initiative. Their long-term plan contemplates 1 GW of clean, non-intermittent, baseload power. During the course of the project, we’ll be developing one of the world’s largest 5.2 gigawatt (GW) solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants. It will feature an advanced battery storage system boasting a 19 gigawatt-hours (GWh) capacity.
Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi laid the project’s foundation stone. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was present at this historic event. The project is slated to be commissioned by 2027, providing a major boost towards the UAE’s clean energy targets.
Environmental and Economic Impact
Once completed, the ground-mounted solar and battery storage project is expected to avoid about 5.7 million metric tons of carbon emissions each year. This major cut is in keeping with the UAE’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
In addition to its environmental benefits, the project is projected to create over 10,000 jobs, stimulating local economies and supporting workforce development. This initiative will dramatically spur the creation of new manufacturing facilities. Consequently, it will strengthen the UAE’s leading role in renewable energy technologies.
“We are proud to lay the foundation stone for this world-first project, which marks a major milestone in the UAE’s efforts to advance clean energy. As Masdar’s most ambitious project to date, it demonstrates the feasibility of continuous renewable power and addresses the challenge of intermittency,” said Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi.
Strategic Partnerships and Future Goals
The initiative highlights the value of working together as one energy ecosystem, both within Abu Dhabi and beyond. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships. These partnerships have helped propel this innovative project to success.
“As the world intensifies efforts to ensure secure, sustainable and affordable energy, the UAE is charting a new path by leveraging advanced technology and innovation to drive sustainable development,” stated Al Jaber.
With plans to expand its clean energy portfolio to 100GW by 2030, Masdar is not only focusing on addressing current energy demands but is preparing for future challenges. This project will bring clean, renewable energy to new muscular sectors including artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Vision for Sustainable Innovation
The solar and battery storage project aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to pioneering innovations that support national objectives. Ahmed Ali Al Shamsi, on the impact the project would have.
“This groundbreaking project reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and reaffirms our commitment to pioneering transformative innovations that support national objectives,” said Al Shamsi.
Abu Dhabi is quickly establishing itself as a leading international center for AI research and innovation. This inspiring effort ensures that our clean energy future is doing its best to meet the needs of our most essential sectors.