The UAE broke ground on the world’s largest solar and bess project, first of its kind. It will be capable of delivering round-the-clock baseload renewable energy. Masdar in collaboration with EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company) is developing the $6 billion project. Once done, it will deliver up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of baseload power 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The ceremony was witnessed by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs.
Moreover, the project will integrate a 5.2GW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant with a 19 gigawatt-hours (GWh) battery energy storage system (BESS). It will also include AI-enhanced forecasting and intelligent dispatch, and AI-ready infrastructure for predictive analytics and system optimization. The facility will be operational by 2027, adding that the facility will deliver power at a “globally competitive tariff. Other than the world’s largest solar and bess project, the Middle East is also working on the world’s largest BESS project in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, other projects such as Saudi Arabia 1.4 GW solar projects are also taking shape with EDF Solutions consortium reaching financial close on the project.
Project Factsheet
Importance:
- Masdar $6 billion project in collaboration with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC).
- Will also deliver 1 GW of round-the-clock baseload renewable power
- Will create over 10,000 new jobs and construct new manufacturing and service facilities in the UAE.
- Will lower approximately 5.7 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, supporting the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy.
Infrastructure:
- Includes a 5.2 GW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant with a 19 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS).
- Infrastructure also includes AI-optimization forecasting, smart dispatch, and AI-driven infrastructure for predictive analytics and systeqm optimization.
- Intended to provide baseload renewable power 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on a globally competitive tariff.
Developer/Consortium:
- Constructed by Masdar in association with EWEC.
- EPC contracts and significant equipment suppliers were finalized by Masdar in January 2025.
- The groundbreaking was performed by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It also highlights top-level government backing.
Funding/Timeline:
- Total investment: $6 billion.
- Construction started in 2025, aiming to be commissioned in 2027.
- The project will also serve as a global blueprint for 24/7 renewable power production, incorporating large-scale storage and solar capacity for export and replication worldwide.
Significance of the World’s Largest Solar and BESS Project in the UAE
The world’s largest solar and bess project in the UAE is expected to have an immense significance other than the first of its kind and its massive capacity will put it in the list of the largest BESS projects of over 1GW capacity being developed around the world.. The project is expected to create over 10,000 jobs and new manufacturing and service facilities in the UAE. Moreover, it will avoid approximately 5.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. In January 2025, Masdar had announced the appointment of main Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors and suppliers of solar PV modules and BESS for the project.
It will be the largest and most technologically advanced system of its kind in the world. The design also features cutting-edge technologies, including AI-enhanced forecasting and intelligent dispatch. Moreover, it features AI-ready infrastructure for predictive analytics and system optimization. Once operational, the project will act as a blueprint that can be replicated internationally to meet the growing demand for clean, secure, round-the-clock power.
