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• 300MW / 600MWh Battery Energy Storage System in Navoiy will boost grid reliability and renewable integration, marking significant milestone in Uzbekistan’s energy transformation

• Battery Storage Service Agreement signed with JSC Uzenergosotish and witnessed by UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy

• Once operational in Q3 2028, the project will be capable of storing energy equivalent to powering approximately 1.3 million households for two hours.

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar, a global clean energy leader, has signed a Battery Storage Service Agreement with JSC Uzenergosotish, Uzbekistan’s state-owned joint-stock company, to develop the nation’s largest standalone battery energy storage (BESS) project.

The Zarafshan BESS forms the first phase of a national battery storage program following Masdar’s December 2023 agreement with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade to develop up to 575 megawatts (MW) / 1.15 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of BESS capacity across the country.

Phase 1, which will be capable of storing up to 300MW / 600MWh of electricity, equivalent to powering approximately 1.3 million households for two hours, will connect to the Murunau Substation, while a second 300MW / 600MWh phase will extend the Zarafshan facility.

Once operational in Q3 2028, the Zarafshan BESS will strengthen Uzbekistan’s grid reliability and flexibility, supporting its target of generating 54 percent of power from renewables by 2030 and advancing long-term net-zero goals.

The agreement was signed at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) by Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, and Jahongir Obidjonov, Chairman of the Board, JSC Uzenergosotish, and witnessed by His Excellency Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy, and His Excellency Jurabek Mirzamahmudov, Minister of Energy, Republic of Uzbekistan.

His Excellency Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy, said:

His Excellency Jurabek Mirzamahmudov, Minister of Energy, Republic of Uzbekistan, said:

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said:

Jahongir Obidjonov, Chairman of the Board, JSC Uzenergosotish, said:

The Zarafshan BESS adds to Masdar’s growing current footprint in Uzbekistan, which includes around 2GW of clean energy capacity, with investments totaling over $2 billion USD. Masdar has committed to developing over 2GW of additional clean energy capacity, as well as the extension plan of Zarafshan BESS with additional 300MW / 600MWh, supporting Uzbekistan’s goal to reach 20GW of renewables by 2030 and Masdar’s global ambition of 100GW by 2030.

Masdar is also advancing large-scale energy storage innovation worldwide. In October, it broke ground on the world’s first gigascale 24/7 solar and battery storage project in Abu Dhabi, featuring a 5.2GW solar plant integrated with a 19GWh BESS to deliver 1GW baseload renewable power. Upon completion, this will be the largest and most technological advanced system of its kind globally.

Sino-International Entrepreneurs Federation (SIEF) and Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) are proud to announce the establishment of a strategic partnership and the launch of the inaugural Blue Forum at the UAE - China Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum during the 2025 China International Import Expo, in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, United Arab Emirates.

The Blue Forum, a flagship event of the new partnership, will be organised as part of ADSW 2026 and is scheduled for January 15, 2026, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). This high-level forum aims to catalyse international partnerships and investment in sustainable water management, focusing on innovation, finance, and policy cooperation. The program will engage leading Chinese entities alongside thought leaders and decision-makers from Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and beyond to unlock transformative opportunities for a water-secure future.

As part of this collaboration, Asia-Pacific exhibitors will be brought to the SIEF Pavilion at ADSW 2026, showcasing leading technology companies and fostering cross-border collaboration in sustainability.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said:

Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Masdar Executive Director, Brand and Strategic Initiatives, said:

William Wang, Chief Representative for Middle East & Africa, SIEF, added

• OMV and Masdar to establish a joint venture company for development and operation of the new electrolyzer plant in Bruck an der Leitha, Austria

• The joint venture will be majority-owned by OMV, with Masdar holding a 49 percent share

• Partnership combines OMV’s strategic leadership under its integrated Fuels and Chemicals business with Masdar’s global experience in financing, developing and delivering clean energy projects

• Collaboration sets the stage for future cooperation in green hydrogen, synthetic fuels and chemicals

OMV, Austria’s integrated energy, fuels and chemicals company, and Masdar, a global clean energy leader, have signed a binding agreement to establish a joint venture (JV) for the financing, construction and operation of the 140 MW green hydrogen electrolyzer plant in Bruck an der Leitha, Austria.

This landmark project will be one of Europe’s largest green hydrogen production facilities and marks a major step in OMV’s commitment to decarbonizing its Schwechat refinery and accelerating the energy transformation. Construction of the facility began in September 2025 and it is expected to be operational in 2027.

The JV between OMV and Masdar will be majority-owned by OMV with Masdar owning 49 percent. The partnership combines OMV’s strategic leadership under its integrated Fuels and Chemicals business and Masdar’s commercial, financial and technical expertise in developing and operating clean energy projects worldwide. OMV, which is already running a 10 MW electrolyzer plant for green hydrogen in Schwechat, will procure the renewable electricity for production and own the green hydrogen produced.

The partnership lays the foundation for a future strategic collaboration between OMV and Masdar to explore green hydrogen, synthetic sustainable aviation fuels (e-SAF) and synthetic chemicals production in both the UAE and Central and Northern Europe, following the signing of the Letter of Intent in April earlier this year. The JV is anticipated to close in early 2026, conditional on completion of final documentation, shareholders’ approvals and regulatory approvals.

The binding agreement was signed at ADIPEC in the presence of H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, H.E. Dr. Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, Austria’s Federal Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism, Dr. Alfred Stern, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of OMV and Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar.

H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar:

H.E. Dr. Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, Austria’s Federal Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism:

Dr. Alfred Stern, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of OMV:

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar:

Masdar is aiming to be a leading producer of green hydrogen and its derivatives globally by 2030, with the company developing and investing in commercial projects and building scalable platforms in key markets around the world.

• ADNOC and Microsoft will co-develop and deploy AI agents across ADNOC’s value chain to drive efficiency and minimize emissions

• New collaboration with Masdar and XRG will deliver next generation energy and infrastructure solutions in support of Microsoft’s global AI and data center growth

• Agreement builds on ADNOC and Microsoft’s Powering Possible reports that explore how AI is transforming energy systems

ADNOC, Masdar, XRG, and Microsoft today announced a strategic agreement to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) deployment across ADNOC’s value chain, and to deliver energy solutions for Microsoft’s global AI and data center growth. The collaboration was announced at the ENACT Majlis in Abu Dhabi, ahead of ADIPEC.

Building on ADNOC and Microsoft’s long-established partnership, the expanded agreement brings Masdar and XRG into the fold to develop sustainable energy projects and infrastructure in support of Microsoft’s global AI and data center expansion.

As part of the agreement, ADNOC and Microsoft will co-develop and deploy AI agents to drive autonomous operations and unlock greater efficiency, building on ADNOC’s successful deployment of AI solutions across its value chain. Microsoft will also provide advanced AI tools and upskilling programs, while both companies will explore a joint innovation ecosystem to create transformative solutions for the energy sector.

His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, Executive Chairman of XRG and Chairman of Masdar, said:

ADNOC was the first energy company to roll out generative AI enterprise-wide in November 2023 with Microsoft Copilot. Since then, more than 40,000 employees have completed AI training, with utilization rates above 90% and over 70,000 hours per month in productivity gained to date.

Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, added:

This collaboration reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a global energy innovation hub, bringing together ADNOC’s industrial leadership, Microsoft’s digital expertise, and Masdar and XRG’s clean energy capabilities to responsibly advance the AI era. This latest agreement builds on ADNOC and Microsoft’s 2025 Powering Possible Report which draws insights from more than 850 global experts to understand how AI is transforming the energy sector.

• Projects awarded under the sixth round of bids in Saudi Arabia's National Renewable Energy Program

• Masdar signs 25-year power purchase agreement with Principal Buyer (Saudi Power Procurement Company), and will develop projects on build, own and operate basis

• 1,400MW Najran project expected to begin commercial operations in first half of 2028, with 600MW Ad Darb project starting operation in late 2027

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar, a global clean energy leader, announced today it has been awarded two solar photovoltaic (PV) projects, with a combined capacity of 2 gigawatts (GW), under the sixth round of bidding in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's National Renewable Energy Program (NREP).

The Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects, for the 1,400-megawatt (MW) Najran plant and the 600MW Ad Darb facility, will be developed on a build, own, and operate (BOO) basis, with a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) signed with the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC). The Ad Darb plant, which will be located in Jizan Province, is expected to begin commercial operations in late 2027, with the Najran project, based in Najran Province, starting commercial operations in the first half of 2028.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said:

Principal Buyer is the entity responsible for conducting predevelopment studies, tendering power generation projects, and signing Power Purchase Agreements with project developers. To date, the company has awarded a total capacity of 43.2 GW, with 12.3 GW being already connected to the grid.

Masdar has secured the largest capacity in the highly competitive SPPC bidding for three consecutive years, with other solar projects in development including the 1,100MW Al Henakiyah project, scheduled to begin commercial operations next year, and the 2,000MW Al Sadawi project, expected to start operation in 2027.

Established in 2006, Masdar is a clean energy investor, developer and operator, with a global portfolio capacity of over 51GW and a mandate to increase its portfolio to 100GW by 2030. Masdar opened an office in Saudi Arabia in 2022 to support the nation’s clean energy objectives. Masdar’s operational portfolio in the Kingdom includes the 300 MW Jeddah Solar Power Plant and the 400 MW Dumat Al Jandal Wind Farm, Saudi Arabia’s first wind project and the largest in the Middle East.

His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, has witnessed the groundbreaking of the world’s largest renewable energy project integrating solar power and battery storage, capable of delivering 1 gigawatt (GW) of baseload renewable energy around the clock at a globally competitive tariff.

This world-first project, developed by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar and Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), integrates a 5.2GW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant with a 19 gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery energy storage system (BESS), the largest and most technologically advanced system of its kind in the world.

The project reimagines the potential of renewable energy by overcoming intermittency. Once operational, the project will produce gigascale baseload energy at a globally competitive tariff for the first time, setting a new international benchmark and reaffirming the UAE leadership’s position in renewable energy development. The project will act as a blueprint that can be replicated internationally to meet the growing demand for clean, secure, round-the-clock power.

With its development representing a capital investment of more than AED22 billion, the project will create more than 10,000 jobs, as well as new manufacturing facilities, while avoiding approximately 5.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually when the facility becomes operational by 2027.

The project design features cutting-edge technologies, including virtual power plant, grid-forming and black start capabilities, and AI-enhanced forecasting and intelligent dispatch.

His Excellency Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, said: “Today, Masdar and EWEC are breaking ground on the future, here in Abu Dhabi. With the unwavering support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, this gigascale project is a step towards redefining the role of renewable energy for the information age. This breakthrough is the culmination of Masdar’s two decades of excellence in renewables and is testament to the power of collaboration in Abu Dhabi’s energy ecosystem. As the world looks for secure, sustainable and affordable energy, the UAE is proud to offer a new vision for technologically enabled growth.”

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said: “Today’s groundbreaking is a proud occasion for Masdar and the UAE, and represents a pivotal moment in clean energy transformation. 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. By overcoming the challenge of intermittency, we can provide sustainable power to meet fast-growing demand from advancements in artificial intelligence and other technologies. We look forward to working closely with EWEC and our partners to deliver this landmark project, which will set the global standard for renewable energy development and support other nations in delivering on their clean energy objectives.”

Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, Chief Executive Officer at Emirates Water and Electricity Company, said: “This landmark project is a testament to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and the unwavering commitment of EWEC and our partners in commissioning and developing transformative innovations that support national objectives. Abu Dhabi and the UAE are a global hub for artificial intelligence research, innovation, and adoption, and this project will ensure that the energy needs of this key sector are met sustainably, powering the next generation of economic growth. We are proud to have strategically collaborated with Masdar on this iconic project, and to break ground on a new era of energy in the UAE.”

Masdar has established a strong presence in battery storage, including the world’s first storage system connected to a floating offshore wind farm, and has projects in operation and development in several countries. Masdar is targeting an overall project portfolio capacity across clean energy technologies of 100GW by 2030.

• Masdar-led global initiative invites youth to become the next generation of sustainability leaders

• Applications for Future Sustainability Leaders and Sustainability Ambassadors programs open until November 30, 2025

Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S), Masdar’s global initiative to empower the next generation of sustainability leaders, has officially opened registration for its 2026 programs. Young people are invited to apply for one of the initiative’s year-long programs, which aim to equip youth with the skills, mentorship, and networks needed to lead the clean energy transformation.

Y4S empowers youth to become sustainability leaders through two core programs: Future Sustainability Leaders, which is a global program for university students and young professionals aged 19-35; and Sustainability Ambassadors, which is open to UAE-based senior high school students, from 15-18. Through immersive forums, global engagements, mentorship, and innovation challenges Y4S equips participants with the skills, networks, and experiences needed to drive real-world impact in sustainability and the green economy.

Registration is open until November 30 for the 2026 programs. Since its inception in 2016, Y4S has engaged thousands of young people globally, with the initiative receiving nearly 1,000 applications for just 120 places last year, reflecting the growing demand for programs that prepare youth to drive sustainability solutions.

Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Brand & Strategic Initiatives at Masdar, said:

Participants will gain hands-on experience through engagements with leading UAE companies, government stakeholders, policy groups, and think tanks. Guided by Y4S mentors, including clean energy pioneers, tech innovators, and sustainability entrepreneurs, program members will gain industry insight and build lasting connections. The program’s emphasis on peer-to-peer learning ensures that every participant is part of a community committed to driving change.

This year’s registration theme, “Write the Next Chapter,”, invites youth to envision themselves as the next generation of sustainability changemakers. Y4S remains committed to inclusive leadership and youth-led climate action, with a strong focus on gender diversity and representation.

Applications for the 2026 Y4S cohort are open until November 30, 2025, at www.y4s.ae. With limited places available, early registration is encouraged.

• ENGIE and Masdar sign Power Purchase Agreement with EWEC

• Khazna Solar PV is a key pillar of EWEC’s strategic plans to increase Abu Dhabi’s solar power generation capacity to beyond 18GW by 2035

EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company), a leading company in the integrated planning, purchasing, supply, and system despatch services of water and electricity across the UAE, today announced the award for its new 1.5 gigawatt (GW) (AC) Khazna Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Independent Power Project. The development of the utility-scale solar power plant was awarded to ENGIE, a global leader in low-carbon energy solutions, and Masdar, a global clean energy leader, as the local shareholder. Following the award, the project’s Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) was signed between EWEC and the two companies.

Khazna Solar PV is part of EWEC’s region-leading strategic plans to substantially increase solar power capacity in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Upon completion, Khazna Solar PV will generate enough electricity to power approximately 160,000 homes across the UAE, avoiding more than 2.4 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions in Abu Dhabi per year. The plant will feature nearly three million solar panels that will follow the sun’s path throughout the day, maximising solar energy capture and output. Khazna Solar PV will also significantly contribute to EWEC’s strategic plans to increase Abu Dhabi’s solar power generation capacity to 18GW by 2035 and to meet 60 per cent of the Emirate’s total power demand from renewable and clean energy sources by 2035, in line with the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy’s (DoE) Clean Energy Strategic Target 2035 for Electricity Production in Abu Dhabi.

Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC, said:

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said:

Paulo Almirante, ENGIE Senior Vice President in charge of Renewable and Flexible Power, said:

EWEC awarded the Khazna Solar PV contract after a comprehensive procurement process. The PPA is structured as an energy purchase agreement whereby EWEC will pay only for the net electrical energy supplied by the plant. Under the terms of the PPA, ENGIE and Masdar will design, finance, build and operate the plant, which will be located near Al Khazna area of Abu Dhabi. To optimise operational performance and long-term efficiency, the project will integrate advanced digital solutions, including IoT-enabled sensors, cloud-based monitoring platforms, big data analytics, and robotic cleaning systems to ensure optimal panel performance and reduced maintenance costs.

Renewable energy is crucial for Abu Dhabi's energy transition and sustainability strategy. Abu Dhabi’s energy mix is now more diverse than ever before as EWEC executes strategic plans that are transforming the power sector through utility-scale solar, wind, and nuclear energy, alongside investments in low-carbon-intensive seawater desalination. By 2030, EWEC aims to produce over 50 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s energy needs from renewable and clean energy sources, forecasting that its average carbon dioxide intensity from electricity generation will fall by a significant 54 per cent from 330 kilograms per megawatt hour (kg/MWh) in 2019 to 150 kg/MWh in 2030. The Khazna Solar PV project’s financial close is expected by the end of Q4 2025.

• WiSER Cares program completes a five-day course in Indonesia on advancing knowledge on energy transformation, community resilience and innovation

• Course explored geothermal innovation, floating solar, and community-led solutions for sustainable growth.

• Fourteen WiSER Pioneers and Indonesian professionals, engaged in immersive site visits and policy dialogues

Women in Sustainability, Environment, and Renewable Energy (WiSER) – the global platform founded by Masdar and the Zayed Sustainability Prize – has successfully concluded its 2025 WiSER Cares program in Indonesia.

Entitled “Advancing the Energy Transformation through Policy, Innovation and Community Action,” the five-day field-based course was held across Jakarta and Garut, immersing participants in Indonesia’s sustainability landscape. The program combined high-level policy discussions with hands-on community engagement to explore how inclusive and locally driven solutions are shaping a just energy future.

Over the course of the week, nine WiSER Pioneers and five Indonesian professionals gained firsthand insights into the nation’s clean energy journey. Sessions included Indonesia’s national energy roadmap, financing mechanisms for the energy transformation, and the role of state-owned enterprises in driving transformation. Participants also visited landmark renewable energy projects such as the Kamojang Geothermal Power Plant and the Cirata Floating Solar Project – Southeast Asia’s largest floating solar facility.

Community engagement formed a core pillar of the program, with participants collaborating with Geothermal Coffee Producer. Through structured group activities, GCP (Geothermal Coffee Producer) co-created practical solutions to support sustainable farming, business model innovation, and community branding, empowering local women with new tools for growth and resilience.

Dr Lamya Nawaf Fawwaz, Executive Director of Brand and Strategic Initiatives at Masdar and WiSER Program Director, said:

The course was delivered in collaboration with key partners across Indonesia’s energy and sustainability landscape, including Energy Academy Indonesia (ECADIN), Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk, Indonesia Business Council for Sustainable Development (IBCSD), PLN (Perusahaan Listrik Negara), PT Pembangkitan Jawa Bali Masdar Solar Energi (PMSE), Kopi Canaya Geothermal Cooperative, and technical experts from the Kamojang Geothermal Power Plant and Cirata Floating Solar Project. These organizations played a central role in offering both policy-level perspectives and on-the-ground demonstrations of clean energy innovation.

Candra Sri Sutama, Chief Operating Officer, Energy Academy Indonesia (ECADIN), said:

WiSER Cares builds on the program’s three core pillars of education, engagement and empowerment, by offering courses that strengthen leadership cultural exchange, and hands-on sustainability experience. Each year, the program connects Pioneers with communities at the frontlines of climate and energy challenges, creating transformative learning opportunities aimed at accelerating the clean energy transformation.

Salamah Alhajeri, a senior engineer and 2025 WiSER Pioneer, said:

WiSER is a global platform that champions women as leaders of sustainable change through year-long initiatives in thought leadership, personal and professional development and community engagement. WiSER is born of the UAE leadership’s longstanding and continuing commitment to the role of women; a commitment traced directly back to the vision of the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Aligned to the UAE’s broader vision of driving inclusive action and promoting gender equity, the platform champions women’s leadership in critical sectors such as renewable energy, the environment and sustainable development.

First launched in 2018, WiSER Pioneers is a year-long program hosted annually that offers women from across the world, aged 25 to 35, access to bespoke educational workshops and global networking opportunities to inspire sustainability leadership.

Registrations for the WiSER Pioneers Program 2026 are open now. To apply, visit: https://masdar.my.site.com/WISER

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At this year’s Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, Masdar launched a solution to “the moonshot challenge of our time” – overcoming the intermittency barrier for renewable energy.

In partnership with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company, Masdar is developing in Abu Dhabi the world's first gigascale 24/7 solar and battery storage project, delivering up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of baseload power every day from renewable energy.

The project comes at a time when there is “an urgent need for stable clean baseload power both around the clock and around the world,” Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, says in the latest episode of our Power to Change documentary series.

Covering an area the size of Manhattan, once completed this truly innovative project will be the largest of its kind in the world, capable of avoiding 5.7 million tons of carbon emissions every year, and will meet a third of the UAE’s 2030 renewable energy targets.

Representing an investment of US$6 billion, the project will combine 5.2GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity with a 19 gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery energy storage system (BESS), setting a global benchmark in clean energy innovation.

For the first time at such scale, “clean power isn’t just available when its generated but exactly when its needed,” says Al Ramahi.

“Our goal is to replicate and expand similar projects at a global scale sharing this model with the world,” he says. “The future of energy is clean, the future of energy is constant, and most importantly the future of energy is affordable.”