Abu Dhabi Breaks Ground on World’s Largest $6bn Solar and Battery Storage Project

Abu Dhabi — Abu Dhabi has officially broken ground on the world’s largest renewable energy project integrating solar power and battery storage, marking a historic milestone in the UAE’s clean energy journey. The $6 billion (AED22 billion) initiative will deliver 1 gigawatt (GW) of continuous renewable baseload power  a world first at a globally competitive tariff.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, symbolising the UAE’s steadfast commitment to sustainable energy innovation.

Developed jointly by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar and the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), the project integrates a 5.2GW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant with a 19 gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) the largest and most advanced of its kind anywhere in the world.

When operational in 2027, the facility will provide 24-hour renewable power, overcoming the intermittency challenge that has long limited solar and wind generation. It is projected to avoid 5.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually, create over 10,000 jobs, and spur new manufacturing facilities across the UAE.

The project will feature cutting-edge technologies such as virtual power plant integration, AI-enhanced forecasting, intelligent dispatch, and grid-forming and black start capabilities, setting new global benchmarks for clean energy infrastructure.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, said:

“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. As the world looks for secure, sustainable and affordable energy, the UAE is proud to offer a new vision for technologically enabled growth.”

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, described the initiative as a “blueprint for the world”, adding:

“By overcoming the challenge of intermittency, we can provide sustainable power to meet fast-growing demand from advancements in artificial intelligence and other technologies.”

Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, CEO of EWEC, emphasised that the project will support AI-driven economic growth sustainably:

“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.”

Masdar, already a global leader in clean energy innovation, is targeting a 100GW renewable energy portfolio by 2030, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a world leader in sustainable, technology-driven energy development.