The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched the world’s first 24 hour large-scale, round-the-clock gigascale renewable energy storage project in Abu Dhabi, combining solar power with battery storage. This groundbreaking initiative marks a major milestone in the nation’s energy sector and reinforces the UAE’s position as a global leader in renewable energy innovation and uninterruptible power supply away from the use of fossil fuel. 

The project integrates a 5.2GW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant with a 19 gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery energy storage system (BESS), creating the world’s largest combined solar and battery facility. This setup will deliver 1GW of baseload power daily, ensuring a continuous supply of renewable energy 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Highlighting the scale of ambition in the UAE’s energy transformation, the project is set to provide clean, reliable energy that supports advancements in emerging technologies. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar said  for decades, the biggest barrier to renewable energy has been the inability to provide uninterrupted clean power day and night. Thanks to the visionary leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, this revolutionary project has overcome that challenge. 

Al Jaber added that For the first time, they were transforming renewable energy into a dependable baseload energy source, delivering 1GW daily on an unprecedented scale which is a giant leap forward for the world.

By combining advanced solar PV and battery storage technologies, the project addresses the long-standing issue of intermittency associated with renewables. The 19GWh BESS will ensure the seamless integration of solar energy into the grid, enhancing the overall reliability and stability of the power supply. 

Masdar’s Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, while speaking, noted that  it ws developed in the UAE by Masdar and that  this record-breaking initiative will create 10,000 jobs, fostering innovation and driving economic growth. This is their largest and most ambitious project to date – with 5.2GW of solar PV and 19GWh of battery storage. 

This pioneering project exemplifies the UAE’s commitment to scaling up innovative clean energy solutions and addressing evolving energy demands. It aligns with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, furthering the nation’s efforts to transform energy systems and cementing its leadership in meeting global climate commitments made at COP28.