Image: Masdar
State-owned renewables developer Masdar has begun construction on a groundbreaking solar-plus-storage mega project in Abu Dhabi, expected to set new global standards for clean energy integration and technological innovation.
Valued at approximately AED 23.2 billion (US$5.9 billion), the project combines 5.2GW of solar PV capacity with a 19GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) — which Masdar describes as the largest and most technologically advanced system of its kind worldwide.
Developed in partnership with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), the project is scheduled to come online by 2027. Once operational, it will be capable of delivering 1GW of baseload energy around the clock, effectively addressing solar power’s intermittency challenges. Masdar said the facility will generate continuous, round-the-clock renewable energy at a globally competitive tariff.
Driving Down Costs in the Region
A recent report by Wood Mackenzie found that the Middle East and Africa region now offers the lowest levelised cost of energy (LCOE) for solar PV in the world — underscoring the region’s growing competitiveness in renewable power generation.
Advanced Technology for the AI Era
Masdar said the project will incorporate cutting-edge technologies, including:
· A Virtual Power Plant (VPP) platform,
· Grid-forming and black start capabilities, and
· AI-enhanced forecasting and intelligent dispatch systems.
The project is also expected to supply sustainable energy to support Abu Dhabi’s expanding AI and data centre sectors.
“Abu Dhabi and the UAE are a global hub for artificial intelligence research, innovation, and adoption,” said Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, CEO of EWEC. “This project will ensure that the energy needs of this key sector are met sustainably, powering the next generation of economic growth.”
A Gigascale Step Toward the Future
Masdar chairman Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, who also serves as UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and CEO of ADNOC, described the initiative as “a step towards redefining the role of renewable energy for the information age.”
