Masdar executive director tells Gulf Business economic case for renewable energy “stronger than ever”

The economic case for renewable energy is “stronger than ever” and the UAE and other GCC states are particularly well placed to achieve “ambitious” clean-energy targets, Yousif Al Ali, executive director at Masdar Clean Energy, said in an interview with Gulf Business.

Solar Impulse 2 Soars Over Gemasolar, Masdar’s Solar Thermal Plant in Seville

Shortly after taking off from Seville, Spain en route to Cairo, Egypt, Solar Impulse 2 flew directly over the Gemasolar Thermosolar Plant, a highly advanced facility run by Torresol Energy, a joint venture between Masdar and Sener. The 20-megawatt plant is the world’s first utility-scale solar power plant to combine a central tower receiver system and molten salt storage technology enabling electricity generation for 15 hours without solar irradiance electricity, thus guaranteeing a reliable energy supply 24 hours a day.

Solar Impulse 2 arrives in Egypt before homeward journey to Abu Dhabi

Solar Impulse 2 (Si2), the solar-powered plane attempting to become the first aircraft in the world to circumnavigate the globe without using a drop of fossil fuel, took another step towards its epic goal when it touched down in Egypt at 7:10 Egypt time today. The plane was received at Cairo International Airport by Egypt Minister of Civil Aviation H.E. Sherif Fathy and UAE Ambassador to Egypt H.E. Juma Mubarak Al Junaibi.

Abu Dhabi rolls out the red carpet as Solar Impulse 2 enters final straight

Solar Impulse 2 (Si2), the solar-powered plane attempting to become the first aircraft in the world to circumnavigate the Earth without using a drop of fossil fuel, will complete its epic journey in the early hours of Tuesday morning, returning to the city where its adventure began in March last year.

More UAE residents soon to call Masdar City home as Leonardo Residences officially breaks ground

Residential apartments now under construction at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi will add to the thriving community taking shape at one of the world’s most sustainable urban developments. The senior management of Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, and of the Abu Dhabi-based property developer Reportage Real Estate marked the official ground-breaking of the 170-unit Leonardo Residences at the City today.

ADEC agreement will drive knowledge economy efforts at Masdar City

Masdar signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) on April 12th 2016, to provide streamlined procedures for the establishment of schools and institutes of higher education at Masdar City.

Masdar Passes 10-Year Milestone

Today, Masdar employees and alumni gathered in Masdar City to mark ten years of achievement in advancing the clean energy industry in Abu Dhabi and around the world. Under the banner “Seizing the Next Decade,” participants were invited to reflect on Masdar’s significant and widespread impact to date and the promise of the next ten years, as part of an organisation defined by the spirit of partnership, collaboration and innovation.

UAE Announces Four New Renewable Energy Projects in the Pacific under $50m Fund

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) today signed partnership agreements with four new Pacific island countries to deploy renewable energy projects under the US$50 million UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund. Grant funding is provided by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs managing the initiative and Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, leading implementation. The solar-powered projects – in the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, and the Solomon Islands – are expected to be completed in 2016. The announcement brings the total number of projects under the fund to date to 10.

Women in Sustainability Unite at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

3,000 UAE Students Learn about Sustainability at ADSW

More than 3,000 students attended the 2015 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) held in Abu Dhabi, 17-24 January. Masdar – Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company – is committed to educating children about sustainability and the most recent advancements in clean energy to inspire their interest in science and technology.

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.

Masdar’s Global Clean Energy Achievements to be Showcased During ADSW 2014

Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, will showcase its past year’s global contribution to clean energy development at the 7th World Future Energy Summit during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) – the region’s largest gathering on sustainability. Masdar will use the platform to highlight a year in which it has inaugurated solar and wind projects in the UAE, UK, Seychelles and Mauritania, installing over 750 megawatts of renewable grid capacity in the process.

5 Pacific Countries to Receive Grants from UAE’s $50m Renewable Energy Fund

The United Arab Emirates today signed partnerships with five Pacific island countries to deploy renewable energy projects, financed from the US$50 million UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund. The solar and wind projects – in Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Tuvalu and Vanuatu – represent one of the largest capital investments in the region’s clean energy sector. With grant financing from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), project completion is expected in late 2014.

UAE and Denmark Cooperate to Advance Renewable Energy and Sustainability Globally

The United Arab Emirates and the Government of Denmark today signed a strategic framework agreement outlining nine areas of collaboration focused on advancing renewable energy and sustainability globally. The agreement was signed by H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE minister of state and CEO of Masdar, and Rasmus Helveg Petersen, Danish minister of development cooperation. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark.

Masdar Achieves Financial Close of London Array Project

Masdar Energy UK, a wholly owned subsidiary of Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, today announced the completion of a 12 year limited-recourse project financing of up to £266 million for its stake in phase one of London Array. The landmark financing is the first time that a limited-recourse structure has been completed for an unincorporated joint venture within the renewable energy industry.

Siemens strengthens Middle East presence with new headquarters at Masdar City

Siemens, the global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering operating in the energy, infrastructure, industry and healthcare sectors, today inaugurated its new Middle East headquarters at Masdar City – Abu Dhabi’s low-carbon, sustainable city – where Siemens is an anchor tenant. The Siemens building has been designed with sustainable materials and energy efficient technologies, making it the first LEED Platinum certified office in the United Arab Emirates’ capital city. The building has become a benchmark for future projects in the Middle East and beyond, due to the sustainability standards and development methodology used in building it.

Masdar Announces Winner of its International Blogging Contest Focused on Water and Energy Challenges

Masdar announced the winner of its international blogging contest. Masdar initiated the competition to drive international discussion about the interconnected water and energy challenges facing communities around the world. The contest received more than 70 entries and engaged thousands of readers as it sparked worldwide discussion of sustainability issues in advance of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the largest gathering on sustainability in the history of the Middle East.

Masdar Releases Sustainability Report

Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, today published its first sustainability report. The report highlights the company’s sustainability milestones and provides a benchmark by which to measure future efforts.

UAE and New Zealand Sign Partnership Arrangement to Deploy Renewable Energy Project

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), along with Masdar, today signed a partnership arrangement with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to accelerate the global deployment of renewable energy, particularly in Pacific Island countries. Potential project financing comes from a NZ$65 million (US$54 million) pledge by the New Zealand government and the US$50 million grant UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund, which is endowed by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD). The partnership was signed during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the Middle East’s largest gathering focused on sustainability.