UAE Breaks Ground on World’s Largest 24/7 Renewable Energy Project

His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, witnessed the groundbreaking of the world’s largest combined solar power and battery storage project, designed to deliver 1 gigawatt (GW) of clean baseload renewable energy around the clock. Developed by Masdar and the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), the project aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and redefines the potential of renewable energy by overcoming intermittency challenges. The facility will integrate a 5.2GW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant with a 19 gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) — the largest and most advanced system of its kind globally.

Incorporating AI-enhanced forecasting, intelligent dispatch, and predictive analytics, it sets a new benchmark for clean energy technology and reliability. Once operational, the project will supply continuous power at a globally competitive tariff, avoiding 5.7 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, creating over 10,000 jobs, and attracting more than US$6 billion in investment.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, described it as “a major step toward redefining renewable energy for the information age.” Expected to be operational by 2027, the project will help power the UAE’s growing AI-driven economy, strengthen its Net Zero 2050 goals, and serve as a blueprint for future global clean energy projects.