His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs, has witnessed the groundbreaking of the world's largest renewable energy project integrating solar power and battery storage. The project can deliver 1 gigawatt (GW) of baseload renewable energy around the clock at a globally competitive tariff.

The world-first project is being developed by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar) and Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC). It integrates a 5.2 GW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant with a 19 gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery energy storage system (BESS), described as the largest and most technologically advanced of its kind in the world.

Project Scale and Investment

The development represents a capital investment of more than AED22 billion and will create more than 10,000 jobs, as well as new manufacturing facilities. The project is expected to become operational by 2027 and will avoid approximately 5.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually once the facility is running.

The project reimagines the potential of renewable energy by overcoming the challenges of intermittency. Once operational, it will produce gigascale baseload energy at a globally competitive tariff for the first time, setting a new international benchmark and reaffirming the UAE's leadership in renewable energy development.

Advanced Technology Features

The project design features cutting-edge technologies, including virtual power plant capabilities, grid-forming and black start capabilities, and AI-enhanced forecasting and intelligent dispatch systems. These technological innovations are designed to ensure consistent power delivery around the clock, addressing one of the key challenges traditionally associated with renewable energy sources.

The project will serve as a blueprint for replication internationally to meet the growing demand for clean, secure, round-the-clock power. This positions the UAE as a leader in demonstrating how renewable energy can be dispatched continuously without interruption.

Leadership Statements

His Excellency Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, emphasized the project's significance in redefining the role of renewable energy. He stated that the project represents "a step towards redefining the role of renewable energy for the information age". He described it as "the culmination of Masdar's two decades of excellence in renewables."

Dr Al Jaber highlighted the project's development with "the unwavering support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council." He noted that as the world seeks secure, sustainable and affordable energy, the UAE is offering "a new vision for technologically enabled growth."

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, described the groundbreaking as "a pivotal moment in clean energy transformation" and called it "the largest and most ambitious in Masdar's history." He emphasized that the project demonstrates "that renewable energy can be dispatched around the clock" and that by overcoming intermittency challenges, sustainable power can be provided "to meet fast-growing demand from advancements in artificial intelligence and other technologies."

Al Ramahi expressed that the project "will set the global standard for renewable energy development and support other nations in delivering on their clean energy objectives."

Strategic Partnership and Future Applications

Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, Chief Executive Officer at Emirates Water and Electricity Company, positioned the project as supporting the UAE's role as "a global hub for artificial intelligence research, innovation, and adoption." He noted that the project "will ensure that the energy needs of this key sector are met sustainably, powering the next generation of economic growth."

Alshamsi described the initiative as "a testament to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and the unwavering commitment of EWEC and our partners in commissioning and developing transformative innovations that support national objectives."

Masdar has established a strong presence in battery storage, including developing 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 an overall project portfolio capacity across clean energy technologies of 100GW by 2030.

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