Abu Dhabi’s gigascale solar and storage project sets new global benchmark for 24/7 renewable energy

Masdar, working closely with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), is leading a groundbreaking project right in Abu Dhabi that aims to reshape how we think about renewable energy. This bold initiative is being called the world’s first gigascale, 24/7 solar and battery storage facility — and honestly, that’s a pretty big deal. Its goal? To produce up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of clean, renewable power every single day, continuously. The scale and ambition of this project are setting new standards for sustainability and energy dependability worldwide.

It was first announced in January 2025, and since then, progress has been steady. The project reflects the UAE’s broader push to become a leader in clean energy. With a hefty US$6 billion investment, it combines a massive 5.2 GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity with an equally impressive 19 gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery energy storage system (BESS). That’s important because one of the biggest hurdles with renewable energy — you know, the thing called intermittency — can be addressed with such large-scale storage. Basically, this setup makes sure that power isn’t just available when the sun shines, but when demand actually peaks, around the clock. It’s a pretty significant shift towards making renewables a reliable, steady source of power, not just a nice-to-have.

The plant itself will cover an area roughly the size of Manhattan, about 90 square kilometers, laid out across Abu Dhabi’s desert. You see, this kind of size is necessary to generate enough uninterrupted clean energy at the scale they’re aiming for. The anticipated start date is 2027, and once up and running, it’s estimated to cut about 5.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. That’s almost a third of the UAE’s renewable energy targets for 2030 — highlighting just how important this project is for the country’s climate goals.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, explained the vision behind this venture in the company’s documentary series, Power to Change. He emphasized that “the future of energy is clean, the future of energy is constant, and most importantly, the future of energy is affordable.” That’s a pretty powerful statement, and it’s clear Masdar isn’t just thinking locally — they want this model to be replicated worldwide. They hope that this project becomes a sort of blueprint for delivering large-scale, reliable renewable energy no matter where you are.

Behind all this are strategic partnerships with some of the top tech and engineering firms. JA Solar and Jinko Solar will supply the PV modules, while CATL is set to provide the advanced battery storage systems. For engineering, procurement, and construction, companies like Larsen & Toubro and POWERCHINA are involved, guaranteeing that the project’s execution is robust and efficient. This collaboration—bringing together international expertise—really highlights how cutting-edge this initiative is.

Support from the UAE’s leadership has been clear and strong. The project’s launching event was even attended by the UAE President, which shows just how serious the country is about this direction. Suhail al-Mazrouei, the UAE’s energy minister, called it “the beginning of a new era for solar projects in the region,” especially given the urgent need to meet surging energy demands—expected to increase by roughly 250% by 2050 due to more energy-intensive tech.

Many industry experts believe this isn’t just about Abu Dhabi or the UAE. It could be a turning point in how the world tackles the challenge of integrating large amounts of renewable energy into existing grids in a way that’s predictable and reliable. The fact that this facility promises to produce clean power 24/7 challenges that old misconception — you know, the one that renewable energy is necessarily unreliable unless backed up by fossil fuels.

Sultan Al Jaber, chairman of Masdar, highlighted during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week that this project represents a major shift toward decarbonizing the energy sector. It might even redefine how we scale and deliver renewable power worldwide — offering, perhaps, a real solution to the longstanding issue of intermittency that’s kept renewables from going all-in.

Of course, as ambitious as this project is, its success hinges on how well it integrates with existing grid systems and market mechanisms to unlock the full potential of the stored energy. It could spark more innovation in how grids are managed and regulated — not just in the UAE, but globally.

All in all, Masdar and EWEC’s gigascale, 24/7 solar and storage project is a groundbreaking moment in clean energy development. By providing a dependable, large-scale renewable power source around the clock, it tackles key energy security concerns and puts Abu Dhabi at the forefront of climate tech innovation. As nations worldwide scramble to meet their ambitious emissions reduction targets, projects like this could serve as a compelling blueprint for building a sustainable, resilient energy future — both in the UAE and beyond.

Source: Noah Wire Services