UAE state-owned renewable energy developer Masdar has inked a Collaboration Framework Agreement (CFA) with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) to speed up the deployment of over 30GW of solar PV capacity and more than 8GW of battery storage in the emirate.

The agreement sets out a roadmap for accelerating utility-scale renewable energy projects, with the goals of diversifying the UAE’s energy mix, strengthening energy supply security and supporting local industrial growth. It also aims to streamline Masdar’s participation in EWEC’s renewable energy project pipeline, covering the entire process from early development to financial close.

Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, CEO of EWEC, stated that EWEC, as the driving force behind the UAE’s energy transition, is leading the global shift toward sustainable utility-scale power and water production. He emphasized that the CFA with Masdar is a key strategic tool to accelerate the energy transformation, helping Abu Dhabi meet 60% of its total energy demand from renewable and clean sources by 2035.

“By streamlining the development of utility-scale solar PV capacity, forecast to exceed 30GW by 2035, and integrating more than 8GW of battery energy storage, we are reshaping the sector while ensuring the long-term security of supply,” Alshamsi added.

The collaboration builds on the existing partnership between EWEC and Masdar, which have jointly delivered major utility-scale renewable projects such as the Al Dhafra, Al Ajban and Khazna solar PV projects, as well as a gigascale round-the-clock solar-plus-storage development.

Alshamsi noted that the framework is aligned with the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, aiming to optimize processes, reduce costs and enhance operational efficiency. It also supports Abu Dhabi’s Clean Energy Strategic Target 2035 for electricity production.