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WiSER, a global platform founded by Masdar and the Zayed Sustainability Prize, has launched its 10-year anniversary campaign, “We’re Just Getting Started,” celebrating a decade of advancing women’s leadership and reaffirming its commitment to shaping the future of sustainable development.

The campaign is anchored by a short film featuring influential global leaders and WiSER Pioneers whose work exemplifies the role women play in delivering inclusive, scalable and lasting solutions to today’s most pressing global challenges.

The film features H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN); H.E. Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Former Prime Minister of Iceland and the Chair of the Council of Women Leaders; Ajaita Shah, Founder and CEO of Fontier Markets, alongside WiSER Pioneers, Dana Shukirevyeva, Founder and CEO of Forest Hero; Nicole Bhati, Solar Power Generation Lead at ARC Power; and Reem Al Musabeah, Head of Community Engagement and Membership at Women in AI.

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

Since its establishment in 2015, WiSER has empowered women by strengthening access to education, mentorship, leadership opportunities and global networks. Over the past decade, the platform has contributed to meaningful progress toward a more inclusive sustainability sector, supporting women who are advancing innovation, economic opportunity and community resilience around the world.

As WiSER marks its 10-year milestone, the campaign looks firmly to the future. With global challenges intensifying, WiSER’s next phase will prioritize supporting women who are already driving scalable solutions, expanding their access to mentorship and platforms that enable their leadership to translate into lasting community and economic value.

By strengthening networks, widening access to knowledge and fostering innovation, WiSER aims to equip women to lead solutions that deliver long-term impact across all sectors of society.

Watch the “We’re Just Getting Started” anniversary film: LINK

• Partnership highlights UAE’s leadership role in delivering sustainable real estate and reducing carbon footprint in property development

• ADSW 2026 will convene world leaders, innovators and investors under the theme “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go”

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the UAE’s global platform for accelerating sustainable progress, announced today that Aldar has been selected as its exclusive Real Estate Partner.

Under the agreement, signed by Salwa Al Maflahi, Executive Director of Sustainability & Community Outreach, Aldar and Masdar’s Executive Director of Brand & Strategic Initiatives, Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Aldar will act as the Real Estate Partner for ADSW 2026, a role that recognizes the company’s commitment to sustainability in its operations across the property development and real estate sector.

Hosted by Masdar, ADSW unites world leaders, investors and innovators to accelerate real-world solutions across interconnected global systems. Under the theme “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,” ADSW 2026 will mobilize action for energy, finance, technology, and society to be future-ready, transforming ambitious ideas into practical, scalable solutions across sectors.

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

Salwa Al Maflahi, Executive Director of Sustainability & Community Outreach at Aldar said:

The first major event in the global sustainability calendar, ADSW 2026 will begin with the annual IRENA Assembly, followed by the Opening Ceremony and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards. The ADSW Summit and Dialogues will bring together global leaders for impactful discussions, fostering collaboration, unlocking investment opportunities, and enabling cutting-edge partnerships. With over 50,000 participants from more than 170 countries expected, ADSW 2026 will serve as a powerful platform for global engagement, business growth, and climate action.

Aldar is a leading real estate developer, manager, and investor in Abu Dhabi, with a growing presence across the United Arab Emirates, MENA and Europe. Aldar embeds sustainability into its decision-making processes and across the real estate value chain, positioning themselves at the frontier of sustainability in the region. The company has been the first to use hydrogen-based steel rebar, implement a sustainability-linked incentives programme for suppliers, and jointly founded a real estate climate pledge with the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to support others in the sector on their decarbonization efforts.

Aldar is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its activities and rigorously assesses the sustainability of new acquisitions and developments, while continuously improving its assets to perform more efficiently.

Registration for ADSW 2026 is open now. For more information, and to register, please visit http://www.adsw.ae

• Masdar-led consortium signs power purchase agreement for 200MW floating solar PV project at Chereh Dam, capable of powering more than 100,000 homes

• Project secured under Malaysia’s Large Scale Solar (LSS) Cycle 5+ program, with Masdar achieving the lowest tariff in the floating solar category

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar, a global clean energy leader, has announced its first project in Malaysia, with the signing of a power purchase agreement (PPA) to develop a 200-megawatt (MW) floating solar photovoltaic (PV) project at the Chereh Dam in Pahang State.

The project will be developed by a consortium led by Masdar, together with Malaysian partners Citaglobal and Tiza Global. The PPA was signed with Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Malaysia’s national utility company.

Once operational, the 200MW Chereh Dam plant will become the largest floating solar project in Southeast Asia. Occupying approximately 950 acres, the Chereh Dam plant will have a generation capacity of more than 300MWp (200MWac), enough to power the equivalent of over 100,000 homes. The project value is estimated at more than RM850 million (US$208 million).

The investment reinforces Masdar’s position as a key partner in accelerating Malaysia’s energy transformation. Malaysia has targeted increasing the share of renewables in its national energy mix to 35 percent by 2030, and floating solar is expected to play a key role in achieving these goals.

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

Tan Sri Dr. Mohamad Norza Zakaria, Executive Chairman and President of Citaglobal Berhad, said:

The project was secured through a competitive tender process under Malaysia’s Large Scale Solar (LSS) Cycle 5+ program, with Masdar’s global network and supply chain partnerships key to the consortium’s bid achieving L1, the lowest tariff in the floating solar category. The award reflects Masdar’s proven credentials in developing floating solar PV across the region, including the 145MW Cirata Floating PV Plant in West Java, Indonesia.

The Chereh floating solar plant will be the inaugural project of the 10-gigawatt (GW) renewable energy roadmap agreed between Masdar and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in 2023. Masdar is also progressing a feasibility study for a major floating solar installation at the Murum reservoir in Sarawak, in collaboration with Sarawak Energy and Gentari. This project would further boost Malaysia’s renewable capacity and support key national strategies including the National Energy Transition Roadmap and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030.

A core pillar of the project is Masdar’s commitment to working closely with Malaysian authorities and local stakeholders throughout development, construction, and operations. These partnerships, such as the Site Agreement signed with Pahang Water & Energy Resources, are designed to ensure seamless execution, strong local integration, and long-term continuity beyond commercial operation date (COD), reinforcing the project’s role as a durable national asset.

The project will deploy state-of-the-art floating solar technology specifically designed to address the unique shape and characteristics of the Chereh dam, optimising performance, resilience, and long-term operational efficiency. The development will be financed through a non-recourse project finance structure, with participation from international lenders, reflecting strong market confidence in the project’s fundamentals.

Floating solar PV offers a land-efficient, scalable energy solution, suited to water-rich, densely populated countries like Malaysia. Floating solar systems increase generation efficiency through natural cooling, while simultaneously reducing evaporation and preserving freshwater.

With an expanding global portfolio across more than 40 countries, and a mandate to deliver 100GW of clean energy capacity by 2030, Masdar continues to drive scalable projects that deliver affordable clean energy and align with national development goals.

WiSER, a global platform co-founded by Masdar and the Zayed Sustainability Prize, has launched the Words of Wisdom podcast, to share insights and inspiration from leaders shaping the future of sustainability.

Building on the success of the WiSER Wisdom Webinar series, the podcast brings in-depth and thought-provoking conversations between leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers and innovators who are shaping the future of sustainability. Through dialogue and personal reflection, each episode explores leadership journeys, lessons learned and the importance of mentorship in empowering the next generation of women in sustainability.

Launched on December 22, the first episode features Dymphna van der Lans, Chief Executive of the Clean Cooking Alliance, in conversation with Maryam Hassani, Co-Founder and the CEO of Zealous TenX. It explores the intersection of clean cooking, women’s empowerment, and community-driven mentorship.

New episodes of Words of Wisdom will be released throughout December and January. Season 1 features four episodes, each pairing an inspiring guest with a WiSER host from the global sustainability community:

• Episode 1 - The Cost of What We Take For Granted (Dec 22): Maryam Hassani x Dymphna van der Lans – Clean cooking, mentorship and women’s empowerment

• Episode 2 - When Opportunity Isn't Given, Create It (Dec 29): Jessica Robinson x Michelle Li – Building global networks for climate action through Women & Climate NYC

• Episode 3 - The Power of Collective Insight (Jan 5): Eduarda Zoghbi x Alison Hall – Exploring diplomacy, energy and gender inclusion through the British Embassy Dubai

• Episode 4 - Clarity Creates Impact (Jan 12): Mariam Al Qubaisi x Michael Liebreich – Insights on leadership and collaboration in the clean energy transformation

Episodes will be available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Anghami and YouTube.

The Words of Wisdom podcast reflects WiSER’s three core pillars of education, engagement and empowerment. It also complements the initiative’s year-round activities, including the WiSER Pioneers Program, WiSER Cares community campaigns, and the WiSER Annual Forum held during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW). By providing a new digital platform for storytelling and mentorship, WiSER aims to reach wider audiences and inspire collective action toward a more sustainable future.

• EMSTEEL signs three-year agreement to be Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) Associate Partner

• ADSW will convene industry and civil society leaders, entrepreneurs, and other key stakeholders to accelerate economic, social, and environmental progress

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the global platform for accelerating sustainable progress, announced today that EMSTEEL, the UAE’s largest steel and building materials manufacturer, has agreed to support ADSW as Associate Partner.

Signed by Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, and Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO, EMSTEEL, the agreement confirms EMSTEEL as ADSW Associate Partner from 2026 to 2028.

ADSW, hosted by Masdar, unites world leaders, investors and innovators to accelerate real-world solutions across interconnected global systems. Under the theme “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,” ADSW 2026 will mobilize action for energy, finance, technology, and society to be future-ready, transforming ambitious ideas into practical, scalable solutions across sectors.

As the first major event in the global sustainability calendar, ADSW 2026 will take place from January 11 to 15 in Abu Dhabi. The week will kick off with the annual IRENA Assembly and the Global Climate Finance Annual Meeting, followed by the Opening Ceremony and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards. The ADSW Summit and Dialogues will bring together global leaders for impactful discussions, fostering collaboration, unlocking investment opportunities, and enabling cutting-edge partnerships. With over 50,000 participants from more than 170 countries expected, ADSW 2026 will serve as a powerful platform for global engagement, business growth, and climate action.

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

Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO, EMSTEEL, said:

As one of the UAE’s industrial champions, EMSTEEL has a long-standing record of pioneering industrial decarbonization. Recognized as Steel Sustainability Champion by the World Steel Association, ranked among the top five steelmakers worldwide for leading decarbonization by the World Economic Forum, and appointed as Co-Chair of the Alliance for Industry Decarbonization led by IRENA, EMSTEEL continues to set the pace for the sector.

EMSTEEL became the first company in the MENA region to achieve ResponsibleSteel™ certification, following the launch of its region-first hydrogen pilot project in partnership with Masdar. This milestone advances the company’s roadmap to reducing emissions by 40% by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050. More recently, EMSTEEL introduced TrueGreen™, a strategic sustainability identity that unifies these achievements under one framework, delivering industry-leading transparency, independently verified data, and measurable progress for customers. In doing so, EMSTEEL is setting new global standards for sustainable steel production.

For more information, please visit www.adsw.ae.

• Partnership underscores ADSW’s mission to accelerate economic, social and environmental progress worldwide

• Collaboration includes the Global South Utilities Forum to be held during ADSW

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) is set to ignite a new era of global transformation as it welcomes Global South Utilities (GSU), a Resources Investment company, as its Headline Partner for 2026. This landmark collaboration unites two visionary forces at the forefront of sustainable development, amplifying ADSW’s mission to accelerate economic, social, and environmental progress on a worldwide scale.

The partnership was formalised with the agreement signed at Masdar’s office by Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, and Mohammed AlDhaheri, Chairman of GSU, and Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Resources Investment.

A key pillar of the collaboration is the Global South Utilities Forum, to be held on January 14, 2026, during ADSW, convening policymakers, developers, financiers, and off-takers from the Global South and the UAE. The strategic-level forum will advance discussions on investment, innovation, and the deployment of sustainable power and water solutions across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

ADSW 2026 will take place from January 11 to 15, 2026 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), convening over 50,000 participants from more than 170 countries. Under the theme “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,” ADSW 2026 will spotlight the convergence of clean energy, artificial intelligence, climate finance, and inclusive growth, driving exponential impact and systemic change.

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

Mohammed AlDhaheri, Chairman of GSU, commented:

ADSW is hosted by Masdar and brings together heads of state, business leaders, innovators, and sustainability champions from every continent to accelerate economic, social, and environmental progress in line with the UAE’s long-term sustainability vision and Net Zero 2050 objectives.

GSU has publicly committed to advancing net zero utility infrastructure across the Global South, in alignment with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. In recent years, GSU has implemented advanced digital systems to monitor, report, and optimize utility operations, enhancing transparency and resilience in underserved regions. Through investments in renewable energy projects, expected to displace approximately 2 million tons of CO₂ annually, and the integration of cutting-edge infrastructure, GSU is positioned at the forefront of the UAE’s drive for inclusive, low-carbon growth. By empowering communities and fostering cross-sector partnerships, GSU is helping to shape a greener, more resilient future in the global south markets.

As the first major event in the global sustainability calendar, ADSW 2026 will kick off with the annual IRENA Assembly, followed by the Opening Ceremony and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards. The ADSW Summit and Dialogues will bring together global leaders for impactful discussions, fostering collaboration, unlocking investment opportunities, and enabling cutting-edge partnerships.

Find out more about the Global South Utilities Forum here: https://abudhabisustainabilityweek.com/en/adsw/adsw-2026/adsw-events/global-south-utilities-forum

• Saeta Yield, a Masdar company, closes the €340 million refinancing of clean energy assets in Portugal with range of lenders to repower and expand its wind portfolio in Portugal.

• Includes the potential to hybridize with 110MW of solar, marking Saeta Yield’s first repowering and hybridization initiative.

• Saeta Yield also signed €200 million revolving credit facility (RCF) to provide financial flexibility and finance projected growth.

Saeta Yield, a Masdar company, today announced it has successfully closed the €340 million refinancing of clean energy assets in Portugal, and has secured a €200 million RCF in Spain, as it looks to grow its project footprint and execute its expansion strategy.

The debt refinancing comprises €340 million of senior loan facilities, maturing at the end of 2041. The refinancing was heavily oversubscribed, reflecting strong support from the market, and confidence in Saeta Yield’s growth strategy and capabilities. Participating financial institutions include ING, which also acted as financial advisor, Bank of America, BBVA, Crédit Agricole CIB, DWS and Millennium investment banking.

Saeta Yield is expanding the Portugal project capacity from 124 megawatts (MW) of wind power to 144MW, with the potential addition of 110MW of solar capacity, which would make it the company’s first repowering and hybridization initiative. This upgraded pathway will serve as a blueprint for future asset modernizations, unlocking additional renewable energy generation and improved availability across the portfolio.

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

Álvaro Pérez de Lema de la Mata, Managing Director at Saeta Yield, commented:

Additionally, Saeta Yield has also signed a €200 million RCF with a 3-year maturity, extendable to 5 years, to provide financial flexibility to support projected growth. The financing is supported by a syndicate of leading banks comprising Santander CIB, BBVA, Crédit Agricole CIB, Commercial Bank of Dubai, ING, Intesa Sanpaolo, SMBC and Société Générale.

Masdar, a global clean energy leader, is looking to expand in the Iberian Peninsula and across Europe as the company targets portfolio capacity of 100 gigawatts (GW) worldwide by 2030. This March, Saeta closed an investment agreement for the construction and commissioning of a 234MW solar project in Valencia, with a potential battery energy storage system (BESS) hybridization of 259MW.

• ADSW 2026 will convene world leaders, innovators and investors under the theme “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go”

• New AI-enabled forums, dialogues and collaboration zones will drive progress across interconnected systems including energy, water, climate and finance

• The Zayed Sustainability Prize will host its 17th annual awards ceremony to recognize global changemakers

• WiSER and Youth 4 Sustainability will spotlight women and young people driving global progress

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week will return on January 11-15, larger and more ambitious than ever before. Hosted by Masdar, the event will unite world leaders, investors and innovators to accelerate real-world solutions across interconnected global systems.

“The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go” – Reimagining Systems for a New Era

ADSW 2026 comes at a moment when the world is straddling two realities: the systems we rely on today and the ones we urgently need for tomorrow. Under its theme “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,” the 2026 edition will challenge leaders across energy, finance, food, water and nature to rethink how these systems connect, scale and reinforce one another.

The week will spotlight technologies reshaping global resilience including AI-driven energy networks, climate-finance innovations, and solutions strengthening food and water security. By convening leaders from across these intertwined domains, ADSW 2026 aims to set a new global benchmark for collaboration and measurable impact.

The Most Ambitious ADSW to Date

For over 18 years, ADSW has served as a catalyst for international cooperation, enabling major partnerships that advance global sustainability efforts. ADSW 2025 gathered more than 50,000 participants from over 170 countries, including 13 Heads of State and senior government leaders.

The 2026 edition will introduce several new features designed to deepen engagement and accelerate outcomes:

• ADSW Dialogues: High-level discussions focused on translating insight into action.

• The Blue Forum: A new platform developed with the Sino-International Entrepreneurs Federation (SIEF) to spotlight water security and blue-economy solutions.

• Innovative technologies: Featuring breakthrough clean technologies never previously exhibited, continuing its role as the showcase for the next generation of clean energy, water and digital solutions

• AI-enabled engagement tools: New digital systems will capture insights, track commitments and connect delegates across the week.

His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, said:

Program Highlights

Key ADSW 2026 partners include the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, Global South Utilities, ADNOC, World Wide Technology (WWT), Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), EMSTEEL, Aldar, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA), TotalEnergies, and the Department of Municipalities and Transport.

Key moments during the week include:

• ADSW Opening Ceremony and Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards (January 13) at ADNEC

• ADSW Summit, dynamic discussions featuring leaders from around the world

• ADSW Dialogues, interactive sessions, workshops and roundtables fostering collaboration on the defining challenges of our age

• World Future Energy Summit, featuring more than 700 global brands, the dynamic Greenhouse start-up zone, the Fuse AI cleantech pavilion, and the debut of the Greenpeace Cinema

• WiSER Forum, celebrating women driving sustainability

• Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) Forum and Hub, convening more than 3,500 young people

• Zayed Sustainability Prize Investor Connect, continuing its mission to empower innovators in Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools

• Green Hydrogen Summit, providing a platform for key stakeholders to collaborate on accelerating the global hydrogen economy

• Global South Utilities Forum, convening policymakers, developers, financiers, and off-takers from the Global South and the UAE

Partner events include:

• IRENA Assembly (January 11–12)

• Global Climate Finance Centre Annual Meeting (January 15), bringing together leaders across finance, government and industry

Registration for ADSW 2026 is open now. For more information, and to register, please visit http://www.adsw.ae

• Commercial operations begin at 20MW/40MWh BESS facility in Stockport, first project to be completed since Masdar’s acquisition of Arlington Energy

• Masdar to also develop BESS projects in Chesterfield and Cardiff, with combined capacity of 150MW/300MWh

• Projects represent first stages in £1 billion, 3GWh pipeline of BESS projects Masdar is developing in UK, part of its wider commitment to nation’s energy transformation

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar, a global clean energy leader, today announced the start of commercial operations at its battery energy storage system (BESS) facility in Stockport; the first project to be completed under Masdar’s £1 billion commitment to invest in UK battery energy storage. The company will also develop two new BESS projects, in Cardiff and Chesterfield.

With a capacity of 20 megawatts (MW)/40 megawatt-hours (MWh), the Stockport facility, located in Welkin Road, can store enough clean electricity to power 20,000 homes for over two hours. The Chesterfield and Cardiff projects, which will have a combined capacity of 150MW and 300MWh, will together store enough electricity to power more than 35,000 UK homes for an entire day. Construction began on the Stockport project in May 2024.

Following its acquisition of Arlington Energy in 2022, Masdar committed to investing £1 billion in a 3 gigawatt-hours (GWh) pipeline of BESS projects in the UK, part of the company’s wider commitment to the UK’s energy transformation. The UK government is aiming to build up to 27GW of battery storage by the end of this decade under its Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.

Husain Al Meer, Masdar Director, Global Offshore Wind & UK, said:

BESS solutions balance and stabilize the intermittent energy supply from renewables, providing flexible energy to the grid by storing energy in periods of low demand and releasing it at peak times. This flexibility enhances grid stability and energy security, supports the integration of renewable energy, and contributes to lowering consumer bills and carbon emissions.

Built to international standards of safety and security, Masdar’s BESS projects incorporate state-of-the-art fire detection and suppression systems, with 24-hour CCTV monitoring and local response capability.

Masdar’s UK BESS projects are also being built in close consultation with local stakeholders to ensure they deliver positive impact to local communities as well as providing tangible national economic benefit.

The Welkin Road plant is located on a previously developed brownfield site in Stockport. Local biodiversity was enhanced during construction, with bird and bat boxes being provided to protect wildlife, the control of Japanese knotweed and the planting of naturally occurring flora. A community fund is also being established to donate money to local causes.

The Chesterfield project, located in Calow Green, will sit on land previously used for coal mining, and will transform the area into a hub for clean energy generation and storage. The project development will respect the area’s agricultural character while repurposing previously disturbed ground for a positive environmental use, demonstrating how former industrial sites can be reimagined to support a sustainable energy future.

The Cardiff project is also situated on an industrial brownfield site, in Ipswich Road, repurposing under-utilized land and avoiding the need for new greenfield development, while making efficient use of established utilities and access routes.

Masdar is a global leader in battery energy storage systems. In October, Masdar broke ground in Abu Dhabi on the world’s first gigascale 24/7 solar and battery storage project. The project will feature a 5.2GW solar plant, coupled with a 19GWh BESS, the largest and most technologically advanced system of its kind in the world, to deliver up to 1GW baseload power every day.

Beyond battery storage, Masdar’s growing presence in the UK as a leading investor, developer, and operator in the offshore wind sector underscores its long-term commitment to supporting the country’s energy transformation. Major projects in the UK market include a €5.2 billion co-investment with Iberdrola in the 1.4GW East Anglia THREE offshore wind facility, which will provide enough power for 1.3 million British homes, and the 3GW Dogger Bank South offshore wind farm being developed in partnership with RWE.

• His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev inaugurates Nur Bukhara 250MW solar and 63MW/126MWh battery storage project developed by Masdar

• President also formally ‘breaks ground’ on Masdar’s Guzar 300MW solar and 75MWh battery storage project at ceremony in Tashkent

• H.E. Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, witness agreements for nation’s largest standalone battery storage project and the development roadmap for a 1,000MW wind power project

• Projects will support Uzbekistan’s goals of reaching at least 25GW of renewable energy capacity and generating 54 percent of power from renewables by 2030

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev, inaugurated the Nur Bukhara project, the country’s first utility-scale integrated solar and battery project, developed by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar, a global clean energy leader.

The President also formally ‘broke ground’ on Masdar’s 300-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) and 75-megawatt hours (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) Guzar project, during a ceremony in Tashkent.

His Excellency Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, also witnessed the exchange of investment, transmission connection and battery storage system agreements for the Zarafshan BESS project, the nation’s largest standalone battery project, and a development roadmap for a 1,000MW wind power project in the Navoiy region, which will form the first phase of a 2,000MW program.

H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, affirmed that the United Arab Emirates is a key partner of the Republic of Uzbekistan in developing the energy sector in the country, particularly in the field of renewable energy and strategic projects that support sustainable development. He pointed out that cooperation between the two countries has led to delivering transformative projects that enhance energy security and establish a leading model for the transition toward clean and reliable energy sources.

His Excellency said:

H.E. Jurabek Mirzamahmudov, Minister of Energy, Republic of Uzbekistan, said:

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

Delivering at scale

The Nur Bukhara 250MW solar PV and 63MW/126MWh BESS project can produce enough electricity to power over 55,000 homes while avoiding 367,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The Guzar project, scheduled to begin operations in 2027, will be capable of powering 60,000 homes while avoiding over 400,000 tonnes of emissions.

The 300MW/600MWh Zarafshan BESS project is scheduled to begin operations in 2028 and will be capable of storing energy equivalent to powering approximately 1.3 million households for two hours. A second 300MW/600MWh phase is also planned for the facility.

Strategic market

These initiatives will add to Masdar’s growing footprint in Uzbekistan, which includes around 2 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy capacity, with investments exceeding US$2 billion.

With abundant wind and solar resources, Uzbekistan is targeting at least 25GW of renewable energy capacity, and generating 54 percent of power from renewables by 2030. President Mirziyoyev announced the latter goal at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week this year.

The CIS region is a strategic market for Masdar as it targets a global portfolio capacity of 100GW by 2030. Beyond its footprint in Uzbekistan, the company has an active presence across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Armenia in the region.

In Uzbekistan and across its global markets Masdar’s work is anchored in its ability to deliver firm, competitively priced clean power; integrating solar, wind and storage solutions that help relieve grid constraints and provides partners and customers with the reliable capacity they need as demand rises.

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.