The UAE’s Dh22 Billion Leap Toward 24/7 Clean Energy: Inside the World’s Largest Solar and Battery Storage Project

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken another bold step in its clean energy transition. In October 2025, the nation officially broke ground on what is being hailed as the world’s largest integrated solar and battery storage project — a monumental renewable energy initiative valued at Dh22 billion (US$6 billion).

Developed by Masdar, the UAE’s flagship renewable energy company, in partnership with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), this project aims to redefine what solar power can achieve. By combining a 5.2-gigawatt (GW) photovoltaic power plant with an unprecedented 19-gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery energy storage system, it will deliver 1 GW of continuous, clean baseload power — day and night, regardless of weather or sunlight.

This project does more than expand capacity. It represents a new chapter in how nations can achieve reliable, carbon-free electricity through advanced energy storage technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart grid integration.

A New Era of Renewable Power in the UAE

For decades, the UAE’s energy reputation has been built on oil. Yet in recent years, the nation has emerged as one of the world’s most proactive adopters of renewable energy.

The new Masdar-EWEC solar and storage complex is a cornerstone of that transition. When completed in 2027, the project will not only generate massive amounts of solar energy but also store surplus electricity during the day to ensure continuous supply after sunset.

In essence, the system will function like a giant rechargeable power plant — capturing sunlight by day and releasing that stored energy at night. The result is stable, around-the-clock renewable power that can support homes, industries, and emerging energy-hungry sectors such as artificial intelligence computing, data centers, and advanced manufacturing.

This approach addresses one of the biggest challenges in renewable energy — intermittency. Traditional solar and wind power are variable, depending on environmental conditions. By integrating high-capacity battery energy storage systems (BESS), the UAE is moving closer to the ultimate goal: clean, consistent, and dispatchable energy.

A Global Milestone in Solar and Storage Integration

According to Masdar, this development will be the most advanced solar-plus-storage system in the world once operational. The project will serve as a benchmark for other nations seeking to combine large-scale solar generation with modern grid stability.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan — Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Martyrs’ Affairs — emphasized the project’s symbolic and practical significance. It embodies the UAE’s long-term commitment to sustainability, energy diversification, and technological leadership in the Middle East.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, framed it as a natural evolution of the country’s energy vision:

“As the world intensifies efforts to ensure secure, sustainable, and affordable energy, the UAE is charting a new path by leveraging advanced technology and innovation to drive sustainable development.”

That vision aligns closely with UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy, which seeks to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility — setting a model for other energy-exporting nations.

How the System Works: From Sunlight to Stored Energy

The 5.2 GW solar photovoltaic (PV) array will harness the UAE’s abundant sunlight, generating massive quantities of clean electricity each day. Excess energy not immediately needed on the grid will be diverted to the 19 GWh battery system, where it will be stored for use during nighttime hours or periods of high demand.

To put those numbers in perspective:

5.2 GW of solar capacity can power over 1 million homes at peak generation.

A 19 GWh battery system is capable of storing enough energy to run a small city overnight.

When integrated, the system ensures continuous, reliable baseload power — a feature traditionally limited to fossil-fuel or nuclear power plants.

But what makes this project particularly cutting-edge is not just its scale; it’s the technology orchestration behind it. The facility will leverage:

1.Virtual Power Plant (VPP) models to coordinate multiple energy sources and storage units as a single intelligent network;

2.Grid-forming technologies that stabilize the electricity network during fluctuations;

3.AI-driven forecasting tools that predict sunlight patterns, grid demand, and energy storage needs with precision.

In short, this project blends renewable energy, AI analytics, and digital grid infrastructure into a seamless ecosystem — a blueprint for future power systems around the world.

Environmental and Economic Impact

When fully commissioned in 2027, the project is expected to offset 5.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) annually — roughly equivalent to taking 1.2 million cars off the road or planting 95 million trees every year.

Beyond its environmental benefits, the initiative will have significant economic and social impact:

10,000 new jobs are expected to be created during construction and operations;

New manufacturing hubs will emerge to support solar panels, battery modules, and digital control systems;

The UAE will further establish itself as a regional leader in renewable technology exports and AI energy innovation.

According to EWEC CEO Ahmed Ali Al Shamsi, the project also aligns with the UAE’s ambition to become a global hub for AI research and clean technology:

“As Abu Dhabi and the UAE emerge as global centers for AI research and innovation, this initiative ensures sustainable energy supply for such vital sectors.”

A Solution for AI’s Growing Energy Appetite

The timing of this project is significant. Around the world, the rapid growth of AI applications and data centers is driving a surge in electricity demand. Training large AI models — like those used for generative AI, natural language processing, or autonomous systems — consumes vast amounts of energy.

That reality has sparked global concern about AI’s carbon footprint and the need for clean, reliable power to support digital industries.

By developing large-scale solar and battery infrastructure, the UAE is positioning itself to meet the energy demands of a future powered by AI-driven technologies. The project demonstrates how renewable energy and intelligent grid systems can support both sustainability and digital progress.

Masdar’s Global Clean Energy Vision

Founded in 2006, Masdar has grown into one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies, with projects spanning more than 40 countries. Its portfolio includes solar, wind, hydrogen, and waste-to-energy developments — all aimed at accelerating the global energy transition.

By 2030, Masdar aims to expand its clean energy capacity to 100 GW worldwide. The new UAE solar and battery storage complex is a critical milestone toward that goal, reinforcing the company’s role as a key player in global sustainability innovation.

Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi described the initiative as both ambitious and practical:

“This project demonstrates the feasibility of continuous renewable power and addresses the challenge of intermittency. It will meet growing energy demands from AI and advanced technology sectors while opening new horizons for global renewable energy innovation.”

A Broader Vision: From Oil Powerhouse to Green Pioneer

For decades, the UAE’s prosperity has been tied to fossil fuels. Yet the nation is now rebranding itself as a leader in renewable innovation, using its wealth and expertise to shape the next era of energy.

This project reflects that dual identity — a country rooted in traditional energy production, yet investing heavily in solar, wind, and hydrogen to ensure a resilient future.

It also signals a shift in global energy geopolitics. As clean power becomes both a climate imperative and an economic advantage, nations capable of producing scalable, 24/7 renewable energy will gain new influence in the global energy market.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Renewable Baseload Power

If successful, the Masdar-EWEC solar and battery project could become a global model for integrating renewable generation with advanced storage and AI-driven grid management.

It represents a proof of concept that renewable baseload power — once considered impossible — is now within reach. As more countries adopt similar systems, the world could move closer to a truly sustainable, low-carbon energy future.

By combining innovation, investment, and international collaboration, the UAE is showing how technology can bridge the gap between environmental responsibility and economic growth.

The Dh22 billion solar and battery storage project is more than an engineering feat — it’s a statement of intent:

Clean energy can be constant, scalable, and ready for the demands of an AI-powered world.