Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Abu Dhabi Breaks Ground on 5.2GW Solar-Plus-Storage Project Promising 24/7 Clean Power

Developers say the US$6 billion scheme will support the emirate’s AI-driven growth with 1 gigawatt of continuous renewable electricity by 2027.

Overview

  • Masdar and EWEC have started construction on a complex intended to deliver round-the-clock baseload renewable power, with the groundbreaking witnessed by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
  • The project pairs 5.2GW of solar PV with a 19GWh battery system that Masdar says will provide 1GW of continuous output when operational in 2027.
  • Planned technical capabilities include a virtual power plant platform, grid-forming and black start functions, and AI-enhanced forecasting and intelligent dispatch.
  • The developers cite more than US$6 billion in investment, over 10,000 jobs during development, and an expected avoidance of about 5.7 million tonnes of CO2 annually.
  • Procurement pathways include JA Solar and Jinko Solar for modules and POWERCHINA and Larsen & Toubro as preferred EPCs; earlier statements named CATL for batteries, while a Masdar executive told Semafor that BYD will supply them.