7:53 am - February 14, 2026
Aed Energy has secured a strategic investment from Catalyst, the accelerator backed by Masdar City and bp, to support the scaling of its long-duration thermal energy storage systems across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This partnership will significantly bolster Aed Energy’s regional growth and expedite the deployment of its modular thermal batteries, which are designed to capture intermittent renewable electricity and store it as high-temperature heat. These batteries deliver zero-carbon baseload energy with practical applications in heat, power, and cooling, addressing a critical gap in clean energy solutions by providing reliable, 24/7 energy storage well beyond conventional battery capabilities.
As part of this collaboration, Aed Energy will establish a branch office in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, a global hub renowned for clean energy innovation and commercialisation. This move underscores the company’s commitment to advancing decentralised energy, water, and cooling infrastructure across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the wider MENA region. The location within Masdar City not only places Aed Energy at the heart of a vibrant clean technology ecosystem but also offers access to strategic partners and a platform strongly aligned with the UAE’s ambitious clean energy agenda.
Catalyst’s backing comes with deep regional insights and expertise, aimed at accelerating the roll-out of scalable climate technologies in markets where reliable and dispatchable clean energy is urgently needed. Aed Energy’s systems—which are built for high reliability and low maintenance—are particularly valuable for sectors where conventional batteries often fall short, including heavy industry, remote power grids, and integrated energy–water–cooling applications such as desalination plants. The technology’s capacity to deliver continuous energy makes it a crucial enabler of clean energy access in a region rich in solar and wind resources but facing limitations in clean baseload power options.
Rayan Kassis, CEO of Aed Energy, highlighted the critical role of their thermal batteries in the MENA region’s energy landscape: “The MENA region has abundant solar and wind, but limited clean baseload options. Our thermal batteries fill that gap – delivering 24/7 energy for sites that need more than just a few hours of storage. From desalination to decentralised power and cooling, we’re focused on solving practical energy and water challenges at scale. Catalyst’s support helps us move faster.” Meanwhile, Swethal Kumar, Managing Director at Catalyst, emphasised the importance of such innovations in regional decarbonisation efforts, stating, “AED Energy’s innovative thermal storage systems are exactly the kind of high-impact solution needed to decarbonise energy and water infrastructure across the region. By supporting its growth, we’re helping bring reliable, affordable clean energy to markets where it’s needed most—and positioning the UAE as a launchpad for global climate innovation.”
This development aligns with the UAE’s broader renewable energy ambitions, spearheaded by Masdar, which plays a pivotal role as the country’s flagship sustainable technology and renewable energy company. Masdar’s portfolio includes ambitious projects such as expanding wind and solar capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2030, aiming to become one of the world’s largest renewable energy companies. Situated in Masdar City—a forward-looking district designed to set new benchmarks in sustainability—the addition of Aed Energy strengthens the city’s position as a magnet for cutting-edge clean energy enterprises and innovation.
The significance of Masdar City as a sustainable business hub is echoed by other major players, such as AESG, a global consultancy enhancing its presence there to support sustainable urban development and decarbonisation strategies. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy is also set to move its headquarters to Masdar City’s first net-zero energy commercial building by 2025, further underlining the region’s commitment to integrating clean energy solutions into core infrastructure.
With existing operations in the UK and US, Aed Energy’s new base in Masdar City consolidates its global footprint while tapping into a rapidly growing market characterised by urgent energy transition needs. This step not only accelerates commercial deployment within the MENA region but also positions the company to contribute to resolving critical energy and water challenges influenced by climate change.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://theenergyst.com/aed-energy-secures-investment-to-scale-long-duration-storage-across-mena/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://theenergyst.com/aed-energy-secures-investment-to-scale-long-duration-storage-across-mena/ – Aed Energy has secured investment from Catalyst, the Masdar City–bp backed accelerator focused on scaling climate technologies across the Middle East and beyond. The investment will support Aed Energy’s regional growth and fast-track the deployment of its long-duration thermal energy storage systems. As part of the partnership, Aed Energy will open a branch office in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, UAE – reinforcing its commitment to building decentralised energy, water and cooling infrastructure across the GCC and wider MENA region. The new base places the company at the centre of a global hub for clean energy innovation and commercialisation. Backed by Masdar City and bp, Catalyst provides a strong launchpad for scaling practical, high-impact technologies. With deep regional insight and access to strategic partners, Catalyst’s investment will be instrumental in accelerating the roll-out of Aed Energy’s storage systems in markets where reliable, dispatchable clean energy is urgently needed to meet rising demand. Aed Energy’s MWh-scale modular thermal batteries capture intermittent renewable electricity and store it as high-temperature heat, delivering zero-carbon baseload energy – with direct applications in heat, power, and cooling. Built for high-reliability, low-maintenance operation, the systems unlock clean energy access in places where conventional batteries fall short, from heavy industry to remote grids and combined energy–water–cooling applications. Rayan Kassis, CEO of Aed Energy, said, “The MENA region has abundant solar and wind, but limited clean baseload options. Our thermal batteries fill that gap – delivering 24/7 energy for sites that need more than just a few hours of storage. From desalination to decentralised power and cooling, we’re focused on solving practical energy and water challenges at scale. Catalyst’s support helps us move faster.” Swethal Kumar, Managing Director at Catalyst commented, “At Catalyst, we are committed to accelerating scalable technologies that solve real-world climate challenges. AED Energy’s innovative thermal storage systems are exactly the kind of high-impact solution needed to decarbonise energy and water infrastructure across the region. By supporting its growth, we’re helping bring reliable, affordable clean energy to markets where it’s needed most — and positioning the UAE as a launchpad for global climate innovation.” With presence in the UK and US, this strategic milestone strengthens Aed Energy’s global position and expands its reach into high-impact markets across the Middle East and North Africa.
- https://technicalreviewmiddleeast.com/power-a-water/aed-energy-secures-investment-to-scale-thermal-storage-in-mena – Aed Energy has secured investment from Catalyst, the Masdar City and bp-backed accelerator dedicated to advancing climate technologies across the Middle East and beyond. This funding will support Aed Energy’s expansion in the region and accelerate the deployment of its long-duration thermal energy storage systems. As part of the partnership, Aed Energy will establish a branch office in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, reinforcing its commitment to developing decentralised energy, water, and cooling infrastructure across the GCC and wider MENA region. The new office situates the company within a global centre for clean energy innovation and commercialisation. Catalyst, backed by Masdar City and bp, provides a strong platform for scaling practical, impact-driven technologies. With access to strategic partners and deep regional expertise, Catalyst’s investment will help Aed Energy rapidly deploy its storage systems in markets where stable, dispatchable clean energy is crucial to meeting growing demand. Aed Energy’s modular thermal batteries store surplus renewable electricity as high-temperature heat and deliver zero-carbon baseload energy on demand. Suitable for applications in heat, power, and cooling, these MWh-scale systems are designed for reliable, low-maintenance operation. Their flexibility makes them particularly effective in settings where conventional batteries underperform, including remote grids, heavy industry, and integrated energy–water–cooling systems.
- https://masdar.ae/en/global-office-locations/united-arab-emirates – Masdar is the UAE’s flagship renewable energy company, headquartered in Abu Dhabi. As a global leader in sustainable technology and renewable energy, we are committed to advancing the UAE’s clean energy agenda and contributing to a more sustainable future. In the UAE, Masdar is dedicated to developing and implementing innovative clean energy solutions, fostering sustainability, and supporting the nation’s ambitious renewable energy goals. The 103.5-megawatt (MW) landmark project will introduce cost-effective, large-scale, utility wind power to the UAE’s electricity grid, further diversifying the country’s energy mix and advancing its energy transition. Located in the Bab Al Shams area of Dubai, the project is a 1.2 MW PV plant connected to the DEWA grid. It provides electricity to a large farm that is growing animal fodder. The plant is located in the desert and equipped with automatic cleaning robots that clear the dust from the PV modules. The facility produces about 17,500 megawatt-hours of clean electricity annually and offsets 15,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
- https://masdarcity.ae/news-and-media/news/2023/12/12/masdar-city-will-welcome-doe-to-uae-s-first-net-zero-energy-commercial-headquarters – Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy (DoE) has announced its plans to relocate to the country’s first net-zero energy commercial headquarters (HQ) building in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City in late 2025. The new partnership, which will enhance Masdar City’s vibrant energy cluster, demonstrates the city’s and the DOE’s collective commitment to sustainability. The HQ building is the focal point of Masdar City Square, a commercial development of seven sustainable buildings that will be completed in 2024. The HQ building will feature a distinctive canopy of 1,033 PV (solar) panels, producing 104 per cent of its annual energy needs, making it net-zero energy. Any excess energy produced will be fed into the Abu Dhabi electric grid. Ahmed Mohammed Al Rumaithi, Undersecretary of DoE, said, “Our collaboration with Masdar City reflects our shared sustainability commitments to drive the energy and water transition, build a cleaner economy for our people, and substantially reduce our carbon footprint.
- https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/aesg-strengthens-presence-in-abu-dhabi-with-new-office-in-masdar-city-id0uy58v – AESG, an award-winning global consultancy, engineering, and advisory firm, has strengthened its presence in Abu Dhabi with a new office in Masdar City. The decision to base the company’s newest office in Abu Dhabi’s iconic business district is of special significance, as AESG has served as the sustainability consultant through the concept master plan, detailed master plan, and public realm design of Masdar City, which is a greenprint for future cities and sustainable living. AESG’s Partner and Global Director of Strategy and Advisory, Katarina Uherova Hasbani, expressed pride in being among the companies to now base their offices in this business district, which sets new benchmarks for sustainability and carbon neutrality. Through 2023, AESG has deepened its collaboration with key government stakeholders in the nation’s capital. The company recently offered its expertise in supporting the development of sustainable tourism guidelines locally in the region that aim to mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With the strengthening of its presence in the capital, AESG is eager to work with the government and leading private sector organisations to actively shape the sustainable future of the country.
- https://www.ft.com/content/1386a3e7-db11-43b6-ad07-900c401a66a3 – Masdar, the leading renewable energy company in the Middle East, has announced its ambitious plan to increase its wind and solar capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2030. This target would make it one of the world’s largest renewable energy companies, surpassing industry giants like Iberdrola, Engie, and RWE. The Abu Dhabi-based group, part-owned by Adnoc, Taqa, and Mubadala, has already secured deals worth nearly €6.5 billion in Spain and Greece, and has acquired Terra-Gen in the US. They also hold a significant stake in the UK’s Dogger Bank South offshore wind farm project. Masdar’s CEO, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, states that the company will focus its investments in the Middle East, Europe, the US, and Asia. They aim for an equal split between solar and wind projects and emphasize building regional platforms with experienced teams. Despite increased competition and valuations in the renewables sector, Masdar aims for strategic, long-term investments with stable returns rather than making quick financial gains.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative was first published on 1 July 2025. A similar report appeared on 14 January 2025, indicating that the content is not recycled. The earlier report mentions Catalyst’s investment in Aed Energy, suggesting that the current narrative is an update rather than a republished piece. ([wam.ae](https://www.wam.ae/en/article/bhopaoz-catalyst-announces-new-direct-investments-world?utm_source=openai)) The presence of updated data in the current report justifies a higher freshness score. ([theenergyst.com](https://theenergyst.com/aed-energy-secures-investment-to-scale-long-duration-storage-across-mena/?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes from Rayan Kassis, CEO of Aed Energy, and Swethal Kumar, Managing Director at Catalyst, are consistent with those in the earlier report from 14 January 2025. This suggests that the quotes are reused, which is common in press releases. The consistency of the quotes across both reports indicates that the current narrative is based on the earlier press release. ([wam.ae](https://www.wam.ae/en/article/bhopaoz-catalyst-announces-new-direct-investments-world?utm_source=openai))
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Energyst, a publication focusing on energy industry news. While it is a specialised outlet, it is not as widely recognised as major news organisations. The earlier report was published on 14 January 2025, indicating that the current narrative is based on a press release from that date. ([wam.ae](https://www.wam.ae/en/article/bhopaoz-catalyst-announces-new-direct-investments-world?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about Aed Energy’s investment from Catalyst and the establishment of a branch office in Masdar City are plausible and align with the earlier report from 14 January 2025. The consistency of the information across both reports supports the credibility of the claims. ([wam.ae](https://www.wam.ae/en/article/bhopaoz-catalyst-announces-new-direct-investments-world?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is based on a press release from 14 January 2025, with updated data justifying a higher freshness score. The quotes are consistent with the earlier report, indicating reused content. The source is a specialised outlet, and the claims are plausible and consistent with previous reports. Therefore, the overall assessment is ‘PASS’ with high confidence.
