Masdar Appoints Contractors and Suppliers for World’s First 24/7 Solar PV and Battery Storage Project

Masdar, the UAE’s clean energy firm has announced its preferred suppliers and contractors for the development of the world’s first large-scale 24/7 solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage project at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).

The project is being developed in collaboration with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC). The project will feature a 5.2 GW direct current (GW DC) solar PV plant integrated with a 19 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS), making it the largest facility of its kind globally. It is capable of delivering up to 1 GW of continuous baseload power; the project overcomes the intermittency challenges of renewable energy, ensuring uninterrupted clean power delivery around the clock.

Masdar has selected JA Solar and Jinko Solar as the preferred suppliers for PV modules, with each providing 2.6 GW of capacity using advanced TopCon technology designed for maximum efficiency and durability over 30 years. CATL, the world’s largest battery manufacturer, will supply its cutting-edge TENER battery technology for the 19 GWh storage system, which ensures high safety standards, a long service life, and seamless integration for reliable operation throughout the project’s lifespan.

Further, Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) responsibilities will be managed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and POWERCHINA, both named as preferred contractors. The Letters of Award were signed during a ceremony at the Masdar Pavilion at ADSW. Masdar COO Abdulaziz Alobaidli signed on behalf of the company, with representatives from POWERCHINA and L&T also present, including Yu Feng, President of HDEC International, and A. Ravindran, Senior Vice President & Head of Renewables IC at L&T.

Abdulaziz Alobaidli described the initiative as a groundbreaking advancement in renewable energy. “The record-breaking project we are developing with EWEC is a giant step forward in the clean energy transformation, overcoming the intermittency challenges of renewables and enabling the dispatch of clean energy 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said. He added that Masdar’s largest project to date sets a new benchmark for clean energy innovation, showcasing partnerships with industry leaders to achieve the highest standards of performance and efficiency.

The solar PV and BESS facility will play a transformative role in integrating renewable energy into the UAE’s grid, supporting the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 and the country’s commitments under the UAE Consensus agreed at COP28.