Abu Dhabi Launches Groundbreaking 24/7 Solar and Battery Energy Storage Project
On January 15, 2025, in a landmark event attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC, known as Masdar, and Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) officially launched the world's first large-scale, 24/7 solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage project. This revolutionary initiative is set to significantly change the landscape of renewable energy, proving that sustainable energy sources can indeed provide coherent support for the grid around the clock.
The project will not only bolster the UAE's emergence as a global leader in renewable energy but is also strategically timed during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. According to His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, this venture seeks to eliminate the long-standing challenge of intermittent power supply that has plagued renewable energy sources. "For decades, the biggest hurdle facing renewable energy has been its intermittency—providing clean power day and night has been the most ambitious challenge of our times," he stated confidently.
The facility will deliver up to a remarkable 1 gigawatt (GW) of baseload energy daily sourced from solar energy, making it the largest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) globally with an integrated 5.2 GW solar PV plant and a BESS capacity of 19 gigawatt-hours (GWh). This achievement sets a new standard for clean energy innovation.
His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investments and General Manager of ADQ Group, emphasized that this project marks a pivotal transformation towards sustainable energy, driving significantly down carbon emissions and leading the pathway in scalable, efficient renewable energy utilization.
Othman Al Ali, the CEO of EWEC, heralded the project as a trailblazer for clean energy development and innovation that underscores the UAE's commitment to achieving energy security and economic sustainability. He said that this significant project not only establishes a world-class standard for sustainable energy development but also contributes to the growing momentum of the UAE's commitment to its Net Zero 2050 initiative.
Furthermore, the project is anticipated to create over 10,000 jobs, showcasing Abu Dhabi's dedication to fostering innovation and economic growth through renewable energy solutions. Masdar's CEO, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, noted that this undertaking represents the most ambitious project yet from Masdar, intertwining extensive solar and battery storage capabilities.
As the facility aims to address energy intermittency challenges comprehensively, it will also support critical industries requiring reliable energy solutions, such as artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. This commitment of integrating advanced renewable technologies into the energy infrastructure aligns impeccably with the UAE's Energy Strategy 2050 and positions Abu Dhabi as a pivotal contributor to fulfilling climate commitments made at the COP28.
In conclusion, this groundbreaking project stands as a testament to the UAE leadership's vision and determination to advance sustainable energy practices. It combines innovative storage technologies with significant renewable energy sources and exemplifies an unprecedented model for global energy transformation, marking the beginning of a new era for the region and the world. It’s a bold step into the future of clean energy, one that promises to inspire further advancements in renewable technologies worldwide.