UAE Launches World’s First 24/7 Solar and Battery Project

In a groundbreaking announcement made in the presence of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar and Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) launched the world’s first large-scale gigascale project integrating solar power and battery storage in Abu Dhabi. This innovative initiative marks a significant milestone in renewable energy, delivering clean power 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The project was announced by His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, alongside His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment and Managing Director and Group CEO of ADQ. Designed to provide up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of baseload power daily, the project features a 5.2GW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant coupled with a 19-gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery energy storage system (BESS). This combination sets a global benchmark as the largest integrated solar and BESS facility in the world.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber stated that this project overcomes the longstanding issue of renewable energy intermittency, ensuring uninterrupted clean power at an unprecedented scale. His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi emphasized the UAE’s leadership in clean energy transformation, highlighting the project’s role in advancing sustainability, reducing carbon emissions, and solidifying Abu Dhabi’s position as a key player in global energy innovation.

Othman Al Ali, CEO of EWEC, expressed the significance of the project in supporting the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, ensuring energy security and reliability for critical industries such as artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. The initiative also aligns with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, demonstrating a strong commitment to scaling innovative clean energy solutions to meet growing energy demands.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, described the project as Masdar’s largest and most ambitious to date, combining solar and battery technologies to address renewable energy intermittency and create over 10,000 new jobs. The facility is expected to transform global energy systems by providing clean, uninterrupted power 24/7, reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to driving economic growth, innovation, and sustainability.

This historic project reflects the UAE’s leadership in renewable energy and commitment to environmental and socioeconomic progress. It supports the nation’s vision of achieving sustainable energy transformation while establishing Abu Dhabi as a global hub for clean energy innovation.