The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched the world's first large-scale round-the-clock gigascale energy storage project in Abu Dhabi, combining solar power and battery storage in a significant development for the country’s energy sector.
The initiative positions the UAE as a leader in renewable energy deployment, enabling renewable energy to be dispatched 24/7, seven days a week. The project will feature the largest combined solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) in the world, with a 5.2GW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant and a 19 gigawatt-hour (GWh) BESS. It will deliver 1GW of baseload power daily from renewable energy sources.
Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and chairman of Masdar Sultan Al Jaber stated: "For decades, the biggest barrier facing renewable energy has been intermittency — to be able to source uninterrupted clean power day and night.
“This has been the moonshot challenge of our time, and now, thanks to the resolute support of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with this groundbreaking project we have found the solution.”
“For the first time, this will transform renewable energy into a world-leading 1GW of reliable baseload energy every day on an unprecedented scale – a first step that could become a giant leap for the world.”
The 19GWh battery storage facility will facilitate the seamless integration of solar power into the grid, enhancing the overall reliability of the energy supply. Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi stated: “Developed in the UAE by Masdar, this record-breaking project will create 10,000 new jobs, driving innovation and economic growth.
“As Masdar's largest and most ambitious project to date, combining an incredible 5.2GW of solar PV with 19GW hours of battery storage – the largest ever for a power utility project – this is truly clean energy on an unprecedented scale.”
