The UAE announced a major breakthrough in renewable energy by launching the world’s first facility capable of delivering uninterrupted clean power on a large scale. The project, led by Abu Dhabi-based clean energy firm Masdar in partnership with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (Ewec), will combine 5 gigawatts of solar power and 19 gigawatt hours of battery storage to produce a steady 1 gigawatt of renewable energy.

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and chairman of Masdar, revealed the project during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. He highlighted that this marks a significant step in overcoming the challenge of intermittency in renewable energy. “This will, for the first time ever, transform renewable energy into baseload energy,” he said, according to Khaleej Times.

The project aligns with the UAE’s updated Energy Strategy 2050, which includes plans to invest up to Dh200 billion by 2030 to meet growing energy demands sustainably. The country has already doubled its renewable energy capacity in the past two years and aims to achieve a total clean energy capacity of 19.8 gigawatts by 2030.

Globally, renewable energy targets remain a challenge. The International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) estimates that investment in renewables must triple to $1.5 trillion annually by 2030 to meet climate goals. Current efforts, despite record spending of $570 billion in 2023, are projected to fall short by 34 per cent, leaving a significant gap in renewable capacity.

Dr Al Jaber also highlighted the rapidly growing energy demand driven by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. He noted that while battery storage is advancing, no single energy source can meet the increasing global demand, which could rise by over 250 per cent by 2050. He called for diverse energy solutions and balanced policies to ensure sustainable power access worldwide.

Masdar, a key player in the UAE’s energy transition, plans to scale its renewable energy capacity from 20 gigawatts to 100 gigawatts by 2030, further solidifying the country’s position as a global leader in clean energy innovation.