Global Thought Leaders to Address How Innovation Can Accelerate Sustainable Development

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) will bring together leading global experts – from academia, industry and government – to address how promoting innovation and cross-sector collaboration can accelerate solutions that tackle energy and water security, climate risk and sustainable development.

Women in Sustainability Unite at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

Michael Bloomberg, UN Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, Tours Masdar City

Michael Bloomberg, UN Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, and a former mayor of New York City, toured Masdar City yesterday to learn how Abu Dhabi’s low-carbon mixed-use development is pioneering a “greenprint” for how cities can accommodate rapid urbanization and dramatically reduce energy, water and waste.

‘Blue Economy Summit’ Highlights Importance of Marine Ecosystems in Achieving Global Sustainability

The ‘Blue Economy Summit’ was held today in Abu Dhabi to address the unique climate and sustainably challenges facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and marine ecosystems. With over 70 percent of the world’s surface covered by oceans, protecting the health of marine environments is fundamental to protecting the world’s interconnected economies and long-term sustainability.

Bid success for Noor Midelt Phase 1 hybrid solar power plant in Morocco

The Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) has announced that the consortium of EDF Renewables, Masdar, and Green of Africa has been awarded the tender for the design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the Noor Midelt Phase 1 multi-technologies solar power plant.

GE Unveils Ecomagination Center in Masdar City

GE today unveiled its ecomagination Center in Masdar City to develop innovative solutions for driving sustainable growth. Masdar City, located in Abu Dhabi, UAE is one of the world’s most sustainable cities and is on a mission to discover a “greenprint” for how cities can accommodate for denser populations, while reducing energy, water and waste.

Crown Prince Inaugurates Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

Attracting over 30,000 participants from 150 countries, including world leaders, policy makers, thought leaders, decision-makers, experts, scientists, business leaders and academics, the significant platform for international dialogue and cooperation will tackle the world's pressing issues in energy, water and environment, accelerate the global adoption of renewable energy, address water challenges in arid regions, elevate the water - energy nexus topics on the global agenda, and encourage the dialogue between broad industry stakeholders to strengthen strategic partnerships as well as stimulate investment in water, energy and environment projects and empower the young generations and entrepreneurs.

Masdar Launches Renewable Energy Desalination Program

Masdar today launched a pilot program to test and develop advanced energy-efficient seawater desalination technologies suitable to be powered by renewable energy sources. The long-term goal of the program is to implement renewable energy-powered desalination plants in the United Arab Emirates and to have a facility at commercial scale by 2020.

Construction Begins on Masdar and International Renewable Energy Agency Headquarters Complex

Masdar today announced the awarding of the design and construction contract for its new headquarters complex, which will also house the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The headquarters will be one of the most advanced, sustainable multi-use complexes in the United Arab Emirates. It will be the cornerstone of Masdar City – the special economic zone, clean-technology cluster and low-carbon city in Abu Dhabi. Completion is set for summer of 2014.

Masdar Invests In Offshore Wind Farm; Expanding Its Presence In The UK Wind Energy Market

Today, Masdar announced its partnership with Norway’s Statoil and Statkraft in a 402 MW offshore wind farm project, off the Norfolk coast in Eastern England. Masdar acquired a 35 percent stake in the project from Statoil. This leaves Statoil retaining a 35 percent stake and remaining operator of the project, with the remaining 30 percent owned by Statkraft.

Investments in Clean Energy Can Play Critical Role in Driving Economic Growth in Western Region

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 18 May, 2014: Investments in clean energy can play a critical role in driving economic growth in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region, home to Masdar’sShams 1 concentrated solar plant, according to Yousif Al Ali, General Managerof the Shams Power Company.

Middle East’s First Commercial-Scale Carbon Capture Company Unveiled at ADIPEC

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Masdar today unveiled “Al Reyadah” –the Middle East’s first specialized company focused on exploring and developing commercial-scale projects for carbon capture, usage and sequestration (CCUS).

Masdar Launches 3rd International Engage Blogging Contest

Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, today launched the third edition of its international Engage Blogging Contest ahead of January’s Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2015 – the region’s largest gathering on sustainability.

Masdar Begins Delivery of Four New UAE Funded Solar Projects in Pacific Island Countries

Masdar today announced the construction kick-off for four new solar-power projects in the Pacific island countries of Kiribati, Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Financed under the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development’s US$50 million UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund, the solar projects will collectively deliver 1.8 megawatts of clean energy and contribute to fuel savings worth US$2 million per year. Completion of the projects is expected by the second half of 2015.

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2015 Kicks Off UAE’s ‘Year of Innovation’

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) is the first major event of 2015 reinforcing the UAE’s ‘Year of Innovation’ – a federal initiative promoting innovation as a strategic pathway to strengthen the country’s economy and global competitiveness. The yearly platform, January 17-24, directly supports the federal innovation strategy by promoting technology and attracting investment in priority sectors, including renewable energy, transportation, water and education.

Pope Tawadros II Visits Masdar City

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria, Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, and leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, visited Masdar City today. Accompanied by his H.E. the Ambassador of Egypt, Ehab Hamouda, the leader of all Egyptian Coptics was given a guided tour by Yousif Al Ali, General Manager of Shams Power Company.

Successful Abu Dhabi Ascent Concludes with Call on Action from Ban Ki-moon

UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, officially closed climate change discussions in Abu Dhabi yesterday (Monday) with a rallying cry to governments and business to take meaningful action to mitigate the impact of climate change. Hailing the Abu Dhabi Ascent as a success, he said the meeting was a critical step forward on the way to forging a consensus on how to tackle climate change.

​Masdar and Red Crescent Sign Agreement to Provide Humanitarian Assistance with Renewable Energy

Masdar and the UAE Red Crescent Authority yesterday signed a framework agreement to develop renewable energy solutions that will provide humanitarian relief to people across the world who lack basic services, such as electricity and water. The ultimate goal of the agreement is to provide for the development, building and commissioning of several renewable energy projects, along with associated applications such as solar home systems, solar water pumping systems and solar desalination. The agreement also provides for Masdar to be appointed as the exclusive “Program Management Consultant” for renewable energy projects that will be deployed to regions where the Red Crescent already provides other forms of humanitarian assistance.

Tony Blair addresses UAE-UK Hosted Climate Finance Roundtable in New York City

“The finance sector is an indispensable partner in the future success of clean energy,” said Mr. Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. “During the time that I have worked to advance solutions to climate change I have seen an important shift from high level policy discussions to practical solutions on the ground.” He pointed to the UAE as one of the leaders in this transition.

Dudgeon wind farm signs publicly rated landmark project refinancing of GBP1.4 billion

The owners of the Dudgeon wind farm, Equinor, Masdar and China Resources Group have announced the signing of a hybrid refinancing that includes approximately GBP561 million of commercial bank debt and GBP706 million of senior secured notes privately placed with institutional investors, finally maturing in 2032. Both tranches have been oversubscribed, underpinning strong investor interest. The A- (EXP) rating by Fitch reflects efficient operations and robust asset performance.