Theyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed witnesses the foundation stone laying ceremony for the first and largest renewable energy project of its kind in the world

His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office for Development Affairs and Families of Martyrs, witnessed the foundation stone laying ceremony for the development of the first and largest renewable energy project of its kind in the world, combining solar energy and a battery storage system, to provide one gigawatt of clean base load energy around the clock at a globally competitive tariff.

The development and implementation of the project is supervised by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company “Masdar”, in cooperation with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company. The project includes a solar photovoltaic power station with a capacity of 5.2 gigawatts equipped with a battery system for energy storage with a capacity of 19 gigawatts per hour, which is the largest and most technically advanced in the world.

The project will contribute to achieving a qualitative shift in the renewable energy sector, by finding a solution to the instability of its supplies. Once it enters into operation, the project will produce, for the first time, clean base load energy at a globally competitive tariff, which will establish a new global standard and consolidate the UAE’s leading position in the clean energy sector. The project is designed to be a model applicable to other major markets around the world to meet the growing demand for clean, reliable energy sources that are available around the clock.
The value of investment in the project, which will enter into operation in 2027, is more than 22 billion dirhams, as it will contribute to creating more than 10,000 job opportunities, establishing new manufacturing facilities, in addition to avoiding the release of about 5.7 million tons of carbon emissions annually.

The project employs a set of advanced technologies that include virtual power plant model technologies, grid formation technology, self-restart capabilities, forecasting technologies enhanced by artificial intelligence, and an intelligent energy distribution system.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Chairman of Masdar’s Board of Directors, said: “Thanks to the forward-looking vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, and with the follow-up and support of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, today a company was established. Masdar and the Emirates Water and Electricity Company laid the foundation for a pioneering solar energy project in Abu Dhabi that establishes a new phase in the global clean energy sector. The completion of this project, the largest of its kind in the world, represents a qualitative leap that will enhance the role of renewable energy in the renaissance of the digital sector. This step comes as a result of Masdar’s extensive experience and success in developing prominent renewable energy projects over two decades, and confirms the importance of cooperation and partnerships within the energy system in Abu Dhabi.

He added: “In light of the growing global interest in providing safe, sustainable energy at an affordable cost, the UAE is proud to launch a new path that paves the way for employing the latest technological innovations to advance sustainable development.”
Dr. Abdullah Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi, said: “The UAE’s path in the field of sustainable energy embodies the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, and our firm commitment to transforming national ambitions into world-leading achievements, and consolidating Abu Dhabi’s position as a global model in adopting advanced technology solutions to achieve the optimal energy mix.”

He added: “This strategic project is a practical embodiment of this approach, by providing sustainable renewable energy with a capacity of up to one gigawatt as a base load, which redraws the features of harnessing renewable energy to support the process of economic growth and enhance the flexibility of the national energy system to serve vital sectors such as data centers for artificial intelligence.”

He stressed that, based on the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, may God protect him, the Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi continues its efforts to develop and enable qualitative projects that contribute to building an integrated future energy system and enhancing the sustainability of the energy sector in a way that ensures its efficiency, continuity and competitiveness for the future of future generations.

Mohammed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, said: “Today we are proud to lay the foundation stone for this first-of-its-kind project in the world, which represents a prominent station that supports the UAE’s efforts to make a qualitative shift in the field of clean energy. This is the largest and most ambitious project in Masdar’s history, and a leading global model. It also confirms the possibility of continuously providing renewable energy and addressing the challenges of intermittent supplies, providing us with a sustainable energy resource that contributes to meeting the growing demand from the artificial intelligence and advanced technology sectors. We look forward to close cooperation with Emirates Water and Electricity Company and our other partners to implement this prominent project, which will open new horizons in the global renewable energy sector and support the country’s endeavors to achieve its national clean energy goals.”

Ahmed Ali Al Shamsi, CEO of Emirates Water and Electricity Company, said: “This pioneering project embodies the sound vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, and confirms the commitment of Emirates Water and Electricity Company and its partners in implementing and developing transformative innovations that contribute to supporting national goals. Based on the UAE and Abu Dhabi’s position as a global center for adopting artificial intelligence research and innovation, this project ensures that the needs of this vital energy sector are met in a sustainable manner. We are proud of our strategic cooperation with Masdar in this pioneering project that paves the way for a new era of energy in the UAE.”

Masdar has prominent global projects in the field of energy storage battery systems, including the first energy storage system linked to a floating offshore wind power plant, as well as many projects in operation and development in the world. Masdar aims to increase the total capacity of its clean energy project portfolio to 100 gigawatts by 2030.