UAE Unveils World’s First Round-the-Clock Solar and Battery Storage Project

In a groundbreaking announcement, the UAE has launched the world’s first large-scale ‘round-the-clock’ gigascale project that combines solar power and battery storage.

This monumental project, unveiled in the presence of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, marks a pivotal moment in clean energy innovation.

The initiative, led by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar and Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), will deliver 1 gigawatt (GW) of baseload power every day, generated entirely from renewable sources. Located in Abu Dhabi, the project will feature a 5.2GW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant paired with a 19GWh battery energy storage system (BESS), creating the largest such system in the world.

His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, hailed the project as a breakthrough in solving the intermittency challenges of renewable energy, enabling clean power generation 24/7. This innovation, he emphasized, could set a global benchmark for large-scale renewable energy solutions.

The project reflects the UAE’s leadership in renewable energy, aligning with the nation’s Energy Strategy 2050 and its commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050. By integrating solar power with advanced battery storage, it offers sustainable energy for emerging technologies, including AI, ensuring the growth of critical sectors with minimal environmental impact.

EWEC’s CEO, Othman Al Ali, expressed that this initiative underscores Abu Dhabi’s role as a global leader in sustainable energy, with the project expected to generate over 10,000 new jobs and drive significant technological and economic advancements.

This visionary project sets a new standard in global clean energy, solidifying the UAE’s role as a front-runner in the renewable energy transition.

News Source: Emirates News Agency