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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.”

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Masdar released an episode of Power to Change, its original documentary series, spotlighting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s emerging role as a regional renewable energy leader, through the eyes of the country’s next generation of clean power innovators.

The episode features Srrah AlGheithy and the Estidamah solar car team, an all-Saudi group of engineers who have developed an electric vehicle capable of travelling an astonishing 3,000km without recharging. Their secret? Solar power.

Designed and built entirely in the Kingdom, the solar EV is a symbol of the country’s growing investment in youth-led technology and sustainable transportation. The Estidamah team is embarking on a 3,700km journey across Saudi Arabia to raise awareness of renewable energy, showcase national innovation and spark conversation about the future of clean mobility.

“It’s really important for us to showcase the car across the Kingdom,” says AlGheithy. “We hope to bring attention to the major strides the Kingdom has made when it comes to technology development and renewable energy.”

Established to unlock the potential of young people in sustainable tech development, Estidamah reflects a broader transformation underway in Saudi Arabia, one that Masdar is proud to support through a growing portfolio of strategic partnerships and projects.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a strategic market for Masdar, which has already delivered several landmark renewable energy projects and continues to expand its pipeline.

The South Jeddah Noor Solar PV Plant, a 300-megawatt facility developed in partnership with Masdar, powers 45,000 homes and offsets 430,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. Meanwhile, Dumat Al Jandal, one of the largest wind farms in the region, displaces nearly 1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

Saudi Arabia is undergoing a significant energy transformation, positioning itself to become a renewable energy leader in the region.

By engaging with young people and supporting initiatives like Estidamah, Masdar is helping to foster a culture of innovation and demonstrate the importance of clean technologies in building a sustainable future.

“It’s encouraged the youth to explore and experiment in the field of renewable energy,” says AlGheithy. “There’s a lot of innovation and there really is no limit to what we can achieve together.”

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Wind farms can represent a real risk for birds of prey but thanks to the power of AI, Masdar is helping to protect them against the risk of colliding with turbines at the 500MW Zarafshan wind farm in Uzbekistan.

In the largest implementation of AI into biodiversity protection at a wind farm anywhere in the world, Masdar has deployed Identiflight technology to detect birds of prey flying in the area around the wind turbines.

The system sends a signal to the operation centre to shut the wind turbine down if a bird is flying in the area and there is a risk of collision. Once the bird has left the area, it turns the turbine back on.

As one of the world’s leading clean energy companies, Masdar places a very high value on developing renewable energy projects that take into account minimisation of the impact to biodiversity.

There are around 110 wind turbines installed at the Zarafshan Wind Farm, with over 70 Identiflight towers deployed across the project to monitor resident and migratory species in the vicinity.

Birds of prey, which provide critical ecosystem services and are key for healthy habitats around the world, are particularly vulnerable due to their low lifespans, low reproductive rates, and general scarcity. They are also high risk due to their migratory habits.

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For Rajab Huseynli and his proud farming family in the Gobustan area of Azerbaijan, “Energy is everything.” When he saw the Garadagh solar PV plant that Masdar developed in partnership with the Republic of Azerbaijan, the project “inspired us to do something important for our world,” Huseynli says. Bringing the global transition to renewable energy home, literally, Huseynli designed and built his own wind generator to power his family’s farm – but he didn’t stop there.

As the Garadagh plant came to life near his home in the country where the world’s first oil well was drilled, Huseynli was inspired to explore what was possible. He went on to study engineering, continuing to learn about renewable energy and receiving a prize from the president of Azerbaijan for his robotics work. “Masdar showed me that I can be a power for good and a power to change.”

The 230 megawatt (MW) Garadagh is the largest solar PV plant in the Caspian Sea region, powering 110,000 homes in Azerbaijan and reducing carbon emissions by 200,000 tons per year. In the coming years, Masdar and the Azerbaijan government plan to add 10 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy to the national grid. “Masdar has given us a very special thing,” Huseynli says, “Hope for the future.”

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Our latest Power to Change video is out now.

Our new Power to Change film takes us to the Caribbean Island of Barbuda, where we meet communities on the front lines of rebuilding their lives in the wake of Hurricane Irma, the Category 5 hurricane that destroyed 95 percent of the island on September 6, 2017.

The devastating event left the island barely habitable, forcing all 1,800 residents to evacuate their homes to neighboring Antigua. Now, as they complete the process of rebuilding the island, they are being supported by a safe, reliable and sustainable supply of electrical power developed by Masdar.

As part of its work with the UAE-Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund (UAE-CREF), Masdar implemented the Green Barbuda Project, providing the island with a hurricane-resistant hybrid solar PV plant that can power 100 percent of Barbuda’s energy needs.

Watch the video on our YouTube channel to see how this 720kwh plant is providing job opportunities and energy security to Barbudan residents on the beloved island they call home.

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Farmers in Taiba N’Diaye, Senegal, are able to harvest crops during the dry season and sell produce at a revamped local market, thanks to Masdar.

Until now, farmers like Fatima Ndiaye have suffered from failed harvests because of the long dry season when the area can go without rain for up to four months.

she says.

But through its African joint venture, Infinity Power, Masdar is installing 100 free solar-powered water pumps for farmers in the surrounding area of the Taiba N’Diaye wind farm, so they can irrigate crops all year around.

Completed in 2021, the 160MW Taiba N’Diaye wind farm supplies electricity to 1.5m people in Senegal and has provided a 15% increase in electricity generation capacity for the country. The landmark project provides much needed clean and economically priced energy into the rapidly expanding local grid system and is helping reduce the cost of electricity generation in Senegal, which has one of the highest generation costs in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Moustapha Thiam, General Manager at the Taiba N’Diaye wind farm, notes that “irrigation is the biggest challenge” during the dry season.

he adds.

He says that the solar pumps “are changing these people’s live in many ways. With the solar pumps that we have provided them for free they can irrigate whenever they want to. They are able to do work on the farms throughout the year.”

Ahmed Mulla, Deputy CEO at Infinity Power, reveals that the company has also invested in a revamping of the local market through its environmental, social, governance initiatives.

Fatima Ndiaye welcomes the revamp.

she says.

The effects are very noticeable, according to Thiam.

he says,

Fatima Ndiaye is very grateful for what Masdar and Infinity have achieved for her area.

she says.

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At the heart of the ancient silk route, a very modern transformation is taking place.

Uzbekistan, a Central Asian nation with a population of over 35 million, is taking bold steps to move away from traditional energy sources.

The government plans to meet a quarter of the country’s energy needs from renewables by 2030. Masdar, one of the world's leading renewable energy companies, has been supporting this aim by developing landmark solar, wind and battery energy storage projects across Uzbekistan.

said Bekhzod Zaripov, Plant Team Leader at Masdar.

Masdar, the UAE’s clean energy powerhouse, began operating in Uzbekistan in 2019. At that time, Uzbekistan’s share of energy capacity from solar and wind was non-existent. Thermal plants and hydropower accounted for the nation’s total installed electricity generation capacity of 12.9 GW.

Today, Masdar has renewable energy projects in Uzbekistan with a total capacity of over 3.75 GW which are either operational or under development. Milestone projects include Central Asia’s largest wind farm, the 500MW capacity Zarafshan project. Due for completion in 2024, the plant will power half a million homes and displace 1.1 million tonnes of carbon every year.

Uzbekistan’s first successfully-financed independent power producer (IPP) solar project – the 100 MW Nur Navoi Solar project, was installed by Masdar. Operational since 2021, it powers 31,000 homes and displaces 150,000 tonnes of carbon emissions a year.

“Whenever we mention renewable energy projects, we always say the first ever project in any solar, wind or battery comes with Masdar,” said Abdullajon Otaboev, Department Director from the Ministry of Energy.

Abundant in sunshine and wind, Uzbekistan is a key strategic market for Masdar, which has more than 17 years of experience in renewables. As well as helping to meet Uzbekistan’s decarbonization goals, Masdar’s projects are also bringing employment to communities. During the construction phase, the Zarafshan project will create 1,000 jobs, said Fernando Villanueva, Senior Program Manager, Masdar.

Further opportunities appear on the horizon. Masdar has achieved financial close on three solar projects in Uzbekistan, with a combined capacity of around 900 MW. These projects will form the largest solar development program in Central Asia. And In May, Masdar signed agreements with the government to develop a further 2GW of solar and wind and 500 MWh of battery storage across the country.

Centuries ago, Uzbekistan played a key role in linking global trade. Now, as the world undergoes another seismic transformation, the country continues to make history on its bold clean energy journey.

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Solar power is a wonderful resource as we transition to a world fuelled by clean energy but it requires responsible development to protect indigenous species that have lived and prospered undisturbed in an area for centuries.

One such inhabitant is Swainson’s hawk, which lives and nests in southern Canada, the western United States and northern Mexico. One of its places of residence is the California Desert, which is also the site of the Big Beau Solar plant.

The plant, which is co-owned by Masdar and EDF Renewables and powers 64,000 homes, offsetting 315,000 tonnes of CO2 a year, is spread over 2,290 acres in the Antelope Valley.

The potential effects of further development in the Antelope Valley have not gone unnoticed by the two energy companies.

Rainey Barton, Field Biologist at Bloom Biological, reveals that Masdar has provided funding to initiate the development of a conservation strategy for the population of Swainson’s hawks in the valley.

She admits:

With Masdar’s assistance, Bloom Biological has been able to collect information that will help to shape habitat conservation in the future for Swainson’s hawk – sometimes known as the grasshopper hawk or locust hawk because of its favourite foodstuffs.

Commenting on the work to date, Trevor Walker, Director, Asset Management at Masdar Americas, says:

Masdar’s solar and wind energy projects in the US have a capacity of more than 1.6GW and are spread across California, Texas and New Mexico. They displace more than 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 every year and provide clean energy to 600,000 homes.

Speaking of the partnership with Masdar, Mark Johnson, Executive Vice President, Asset Optimization at EDF, says:

He adds:

Commenting on the burgeoning relationship between Bloom Biological and Masdar, Barton says it is “pivotal for continued progress. We have a responsibility in a developed world to provide for the hawks, to do what we can to ensure their persistence in our landscapes.”

On the mirror-like surface of the Cirata reservoir in West Java, Indonesia, sits Southeast Asia’s largest floating solar power plant. 

Developed by Masdar and its partners, this feat of engineering will soon deliver renewable energy to 50,000 homes, cut emissions, and create widespread change in communities.

And just a few miles away from the 145 megawatt floating solar power plant, one school community is already benefiting. Headmistress Lilis Rustiati recalls how her village school used to be so dilapidated that students had to take shifts to study safely, but all that has now changed.

“The students were split into two groups - morning and afternoon - because we were worried about accidents that could happen as classrooms were falling apart,” she said. “But it turned out our prayers were answered.”

Help came from a less-than-obvious source.  Masdar, the UAE’s flagship renewable energy company, supported the school in fully refurbishing two classrooms, student toilets and the teachers’ lounge. A prayer room was also installed.

“The children are happy; the teachers are overjoyed.  It’s as we imagined,” says Ms Rustiati. “And now it’s not a fantasy – it’s a reality.”

This reality was made possible because of Masdar’s commitment to ensuring that the communities within which it operates feel the benefits of any project, said Fatima Al Suwaidi, President Director, Masdar Indonesia.

“For Masdar, the biggest impact is infrastructure, renovating schools around the area,” said Ms Al Suwaidi. “So, they (the children) go to school feeling happy and open to learning new things.”

Masdar has identified 15 schools that need to be repaired, she added. 

As well as rebuilding learning centers, the Cirata floating power plant is supporting Indonesia’s net zero by 2050 goal.  The plant, developed with partners PT Pembangkitan Jawa Bali Investasi (PJBI), will displace 214,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year and create hundreds of local jobs. 

“Masdar and PJBI employed local communities and local people to work on the projects.  We provide specialist training for the operation and maintenance of the panels,” said Amir Faisal, President Director of PJBI.  

The project uses cutting-edge technology to allow solar power panels to be installed on water – an important development for countries where land is limited. Floating panels can also be more efficient, due to the water’s cooling effect.

As the world’s largest archipelago and Southeast Asia’s biggest economy, Indonesia was ideal for this innovative project. 

“The Cirata project from Masdar is very, very important,” said His Excellency Ridwan Kamil, Governor of West Java province. “The biggest in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and it showcases the commitment from the government because by 2050 we have committed to becoming net zero. 

“That’s the responsibility of my generation towards my children’s generation.”

Together with its partners, Masdar will continue to develop renewable energy projects that support this vital mission.

Children can study with ease and residents can walk safely at night in rural Belize, thanks to renewable electricity generated by a UAE-funded Masdar project. 

Blackouts used to be common in three indigenous Mayan villages in the southern-most region of Belize, leaving families in darkness, children struggling to do their homework and households unable to refrigerate food. 

But all of that changed after Masdar installed a solar-powered mini-grid system in the villages of Indian Creek, Golden Stream and Medina Bank, in Belize, a Central American country on the Caribbean coast.  

“For us, life used to be very difficult. We could have blackouts…It was not easy,” said Indian Creek resident Vilma Rash. “Now we have electricity, we can do so many things. My children don’t have to do their homework in the dark anymore.”

With 400 kilowatts of solar panels and 600 kilowatt hours of battery storage, the system is mainly powered by solar energy, with a standby diesel generator to provide power during the wet season. The plant will save Belize almost 200,000 liters of diesel fuel and avoid around 500 tonnes of CO2 emissions yearly.

Electricity from the mini-grid is powering homes, schools, clinics, water pumping facilities and tourist operations.  Before it was installed residents had endured 30 years of intermittent or no electricity, said Community leader Finity Muschamp.

“Masdar has transformed our community in one of the most impressive manners that Indian Creek has ever seen,” he said.

That transformation has been achieved by providing the villages with access to clean, reliable electricity, thanks to the Belize Rural Electrification Project (BREP), delivered by Masdar through the UAE-Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund.

The US$50 million UAE-Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund (UAE-CREF) was launched at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2017 as a partnership between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), Masdar and ADFD, the UAE’s leading financial institutions spearheading national and global development projects. 

Michel Chebat, Minister of Public Utilities in Belize, said, “This is a very important project for us as a government. Masdar has been a critical partner in this project. It brings a vast experience in the field of renewable energy projects.”

Basel Dahleh, Principal, Masdar Americas, said, “Islands in general and the Caribbean Islands, in particular, are in the forefront of fighting climate change. It is important for Masdar to make an impact on those economies and to provide access to clean energy.”

Mr Dahleh added that providing investment in clean energy to the villages would result in a better life for most of the people living there. 

Vilma Rash, the Indian Creek resident, agreed: “Thanks to Masdar, our life has changed. They have come here to make our community better.”