Masdar, Elite Agro Launch First AgriPV Project in MENA

Masdar has partnered with Elite Agro Holding to launch the first agricultural photovoltaic (AgriPV) project in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The project was announced during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and will be developed at Elite Agro’s Al Foah Farm in Al Ain. It is designed to serve as a reference model for combining renewable energy with sustainable farming across the region.

AgriPV technology allows solar panels to be installed alongside greenhouses, enabling land to be used for both clean energy generation and crop production. The solar panels also provide shade, which can reduce heat and water stress on plants, helping to improve crop yields and lower irrigation needs—especially important in arid regions.

The initiative supports the UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050 and Net Zero 2050 goals by expanding clean energy use, while also contributing to the National Food Security Strategy 2051 through sustainable local food production.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, said the project shows how clean energy and agriculture can work together to strengthen food and energy security. He noted that integrating solar technology with farming can reduce water use, improve crop performance, and generate renewable power.

Maurizio Terazzi, CEO of Elite Agro Holding, said the partnership highlights how food security and the energy transition are closely linked. He added that the pilot project will deliver measurable results in water efficiency, crop performance, land use, and energy resilience, while offering a scalable model for the wider region.

Tailored to UAE conditions, the project will also generate important data on the technical, economic, and agricultural benefits of AgriPV systems, helping guide future large-scale developments.

Elite Agro Holding operates across the GCC, Serbia, Morocco, Mauritania, and Ethiopia, providing end-to-end agrifood solutions and advancing sustainable farming and agri-technology to support long-term food security.