Masdar’s $6.1 billion Round-the-Clock (RTC) renewable energy project is redefining the future of utility-scale clean power by becoming the world’s first gigascale renewable energy facility designed to deliver 1 gigawatt of continuous, 24/7 carbon-free electricity. Developed in partnership with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) in Abu Dhabi, the project integrates a 5.2-gigawatt solar photovoltaic plant with a 19-gigawatt-hour battery energy storage system – the largest combined solar-and-storage installation ever undertaken.
Following financial close in July 2026, backed by a $5.1 billion financing package from a consortium of 13 international and regional banks, the project has entered full-scale execution ahead of its planned 2027 commissioning. The development is also widely viewed as a breakthrough in overcoming renewable intermittency. It also demonstrates that around-the-clock clean electricity can be delivered at gigawatt scale. This is while supporting the rapidly rising power demand from artificial intelligence, hyperscale data centers and broader economic electrification.
Masdar’s $6 Billion Solar-Battery Project, World’s First Gigascale Round-the-Clock Renewable Energy Project Breaks Ground
Reported October 24, 2025 – Masdar and EWEC have commenced construction on what they describe as the world’s first gigawatt-scale renewable energy project to which is expected to deliver continuous, round-the-clock power.
The renewable energy development combines a 5.2 GW solar plant with a 19 GWh battery energy storage system. Additionally, the two companies first announced plans in January to develop the solar-plus-storage installation in Abu Dhabi, aiming for operational status by 2027. The project is one of many renewable energy projects in the UAE as the 7th phase of the world’s largest solar park, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park, takes shape.
Project Cost
The project is valued at more than AED 22 billion ($5.99 billion). Also, it is expected to create over 10,000 jobs. This was revealed by an online statement that was issued by Masdar. Upon completion in 2027, the project is expected to offset about 5.7 million tons of carbon emissions a year.
Furthermore, Masdar stated that the facility will act as a blueprint for global renewable deployment. This will be achieved by overcoming the intermittency of solar generation and producing baseload energy at competitive cost.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber who is the chairman of Masdar, said the project underscores the collaborative strength of Abu Dhabi’s energy sector.
“This world-first project, the largest and most ambitious in Masdar’s history, is a blueprint for the world, demonstrating that renewable energy can be dispatched around the clock,” added Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi.
Currently, Masdar has storage projects in several countries. Masdar said it is targeting 100 GW of total clean energy capacity by 2030.
UAE is taking steps in the development of renewable energy. The country boasts some of the world’s most ambitious renewable energy projects. In what is expected to become the world’s largest solar park, the Mohamed bin Radhid Al Maktoum made advancements by adding 1GW in Dubai. Such projects will position UAE as a renewable energy giant in the Middle East.
UAE launches Masdar’s $6 Billion Solar-Battery Project
Reported January 28, 2025 – On Tuesday, the UAE launched Masdar’s $6 Billion Solar-Battery Project dubbed as “world’s first” facility that is able to produce renewable energy at scale around the clock.
In this ambitious project, the Abu Dhabi clean energy company Masdar, will combine 5GW of solar capacity with 19GW hours of battery storage. This will enable the production of uninterrupted clean energy. This was revealed by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, who is the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and also the chairman of Masdar at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
Masdar’s $6 Billion Solar-Battery Project Factsheet
- Location: Abu Dhabi Desert, UAE
- Cost: $6 billion
- Completion Target: 2027
- Solar Capacity: 5 Gigawatts (GW)
- Battery Storage Capacity: 19 Gigawatt-hours (GWh)
- Total Clean Power Output: 1 Gigawatt (GW) of uninterrupted clean power
Project Partners:
- Masdar: UAE state-owned renewables company
- Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC): Local utility partner
Significance
- Global Clean Energy Leader: Masdar aims to achieve 100 GW of clean energy capacity globally by 2030
- Economic Impact: The project is expected to power hundreds of thousands of homes and large data centers
- Technological Innovation: Utilizes advanced battery storage technology to ensure reliable power supply
Also read: UAE’s Masdar and Iberdrola Announce $16B Offshore Wind and Green Hydrogen Investment Plan
Developers of the Project
Additionally, this ambitious project is being implemented in partnership with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC).
“For several years, the biggest obstacle facing renewable energy has been intermittently,” stated Dr Al Jaber. “Indeed, it has been the moon shot challenge that is faced during our time. Furthermore, how can we power a world that never sleeps with energy sources that do sleep? How will we be able to transform the renewable energy resources into sufficient reliable power?
Moreover, this energy project will be the first to transform renewable energy into baseload power. This power project will be a first step that could be a giant leap in the energy sector.”
The Project to Bolster Global Renewable Energy Goals
The move of developing such a project comes in amid the increasing pressure on the international community to facilitate the efforts of meeting the global goal of tripling the global renewable energy capacity and also doubling the energy efficiency by the year 2030.
Furthermore, this upcoming project will be located in Abu Dhabi. Moreover, it will spread across an area that covers 90 square kilometres. The project will require a total investment of $6 billion and will kick off its operations in the year 2027. This information on the project was revealed by Abdulaziz Alobaidli who is the chief operating officer of Masdar at a press conference.
“The energy project will also be financed like several other projects in Abu Dhabi. This could be equity and project finance debt funded,” he also mentioned.
Additionally, the Masdar executive called this undertaking the “company’s most ambitious project up to date.”
Also read: EDF Renewables proposes 5 GW hydropower plant in UAE
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