Pioneering Clean Energy Initiative to Deliver 1 GW of Baseload Renewable Power Daily, Reinforcing UAE’s Leadership in Global Sustainability.
Image Courtesy: Public Domain : World's first 24/7 Solar PV, Battery Storage gigascale project to be built in Abu Dhabi
- UAE President witnesses launch of first large-scale 24/7 solar PV and battery storage project to be built in Abu Dhabi
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) today announced the launch of the world’s first gigascale “around-the-clock” utility-scale project combining solar power and battery storage in Abu Dhabi .
World's first 24/7 Solar PV, Battery Storage gigascale project to be built in Abu Dhabi
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The launch was announced by His Excellency Dr Sultan Al Jaber , Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, and His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment and Managing Director and CEO of ADQ Group.
The launch marks a pivotal moment in the clean energy transformation, enabling renewable energy to be delivered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, reaffirming the UAE’s position as a global pioneer in renewable energy deployment.
Delivering up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of baseload power each day generated from renewable energy, it will be the world's largest combined solar and battery storage system (BESS).
Located in Abu Dhabi , the project will feature a 5.2 GW (DC) solar photovoltaic (PV) plant, coupled with a 19 gigawatt-hour (GWh) BESS , setting a global benchmark in clean energy innovation.
His Excellency Dr Sultan Al Jaber , Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, said: “For decades, the biggest obstacle facing renewable energy has been intermittency – being able to obtain uninterrupted clean energy day and night. This has been the most ambitious challenge of our time and now, thanks to the strong support of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with this pioneering project we have found the solution. In collaboration with EWEC and our partners, we will develop a renewable energy facility capable of providing clean energy 24 hours a day. For the first time in history, this will transform renewable energy into a world-leading 1 GW of reliable baseload power every day on an unprecedented scale – a first step that could prove to be a giant leap for the world.”
This initiative demonstrates the remarkable scale and ambition of the UAE’s energy transformation, delivering clean energy to power advancements in emerging technologies. This world-leading project reflects the vision and commitment of UAE leaders to drive socio-economic and environmental progress.
His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment and Managing Director & CEO of ADQ Group, said: “The accelerated integration of solar power and advanced battery energy storage sets a new benchmark in clean energy, driving sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. By advancing energy infrastructure, we are leading the way in developing scalable and cost-effective renewable energy, cementing Abu Dhabi ’s position as a key player in shaping the future of global energy. Guided by the UAE’s leadership, this united effort within the energy sector drives the nation’s technological advancement, ushering in a new era of intelligence, resilience, flexibility and business opportunity, while ensuring sustainable and uninterrupted power for exponential growth.”
Othman Al Ali , CEO of EWEC, said: “By launching the world’s largest solar PV and battery storage system, Abu Dhabi is setting a new global standard for sustainable energy development and innovation. This flagship project embodies EWEC’s unwavering commitment to decarbonizing the energy sector while driving the UAE’s socio-economic growth. As the backbone of the country’s clean energy transition, this facility supports critical industries such as artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, ensuring that their energy needs are met sustainably and reliably .”
“This project not only underlines Abu Dhabi ’s growing reputation as a leader in utility-scale renewable energy innovation, but also cements EWEC’s role in ensuring energy security for future generations. Collaborating with partners such as Masdar and TAQA Transmission to facilitate the development of grid infrastructure enables the achievement of our transformative milestones that accelerate the UAE’s path towards achieving its Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative.”
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi , CEO of Masdar, said: “This record-breaking project, developed in the UAE by Masdar, will create more than 10,000 new jobs, driving innovation and economic growth. It is Masdar’s largest and most ambitious project to date, combining an incredible 5.2 GW of solar PV with 19 GW per hour of battery storage – the largest utility project to date – delivering truly clean energy on an unprecedented scale. Masdar, EWEC and their valued project partners are setting a new global benchmark in technological innovation to address the challenge of renewable energy intermittency and deliver 1 GW of clean, uninterrupted power 24/7.”
The solar PV and BESS facility will provide unparalleled stability and efficiency by overcoming the intermittency challenges of renewable energy. The 19 GWh battery storage facility will enable seamless integration of solar energy into the grid.
By integrating cutting-edge renewable technologies with energy storage solutions, this flagship project exemplifies the UAE’s commitment to scaling up innovative clean energy solutions to meet changing energy demands. This initiative also supports the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, and the facility will play a transformative role in energy systems, ensuring the UAE continues to lead by example in delivering on the historic UAE Consensus agreed at COP28 .