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 first gigascale round-the-clock renewable energy project, integrating solar power and battery storage, capable of delivering 1 gigawatt (GW) of baseload renewable energy around the clock at a globally competitive tariff.
The project, developed by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), combines a 5.2GW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant with a 19 gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) — the largest and most technologically advanced of its kind globally.
The project is designed to overcome renewable energy intermittency, producing gigascale baseload energy at a globally competitive tariff for the first time.
Once operational, it will set a new international benchmark and reaffirm the UAE’s leadership in renewable energy development.
Impact of the gigascale renewable energy project
With a capital investment exceeding Dhs22bn, the project will create over 10,000 jobs and new manufacturing facilities, while avoiding approximately 5.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually when it becomes operational by 2027.
It will feature advanced technologies including virtual power plant, grid-forming and black start capabilities, as well as AI-enhanced forecasting and intelligent dispatch.
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and chairman of Masdar, said, “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, CEO of Masdar, said, “The 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.”
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 presence in battery storage, including the world’s first storage system connected to a floating offshore wind farm, and has projects in operation and development in several countries.
The company is targeting a total clean energy capacity of 100GW across its global portfolio by 2030.
