The United Arab Emirates has started construction on a large-scale solar and battery energy storage project in Abu Dhabi that will deliver one gigawatt (GW) of continuous baseload power, developers Masdar and Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) said.
The $6 billion initiative combines a 5.2GW solar photovoltaic plant with a 19 gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery storage system, designed to provide around-the-clock renewable electricity and address intermittency issues that typically affect solar generation.
Masdar chair and UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Dr Sultan Al Jaber said the project represents a defining moment for the country’s clean energy ambitions. “Masdar and EWEC are breaking ground on the future, here in Abu Dhabi,” Al Jaber said. “This giga-scale 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.”
When complete in 2027, the facility will be capable of supplying dispatchable renewable power equivalent to the needs of hundreds of thousands of homes, according to the developers. It is expected to create more than 10,000 jobs and avoid roughly 5.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Masdar chief executive Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi described the project as “a pivotal moment in clean energy transformation.” He added: “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.”
The development is positioned as a global benchmark for dispatchable clean energy delivered at a competitive tariff, and as a cornerstone of the UAE’s broader net-zero strategy.
EWEC chief executive Ahmed Ali Alshamsi said the project aligns with the country’s long-term vision for sustainable economic growth. “This landmark project is a testament to the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,” Alshamsi 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.”
Construction of the integrated solar-storage facility underscores the UAE’s efforts to diversify its energy mix and strengthen its leadership in renewable technologies ahead of its Net Zero 2050 target.
