Assalamu alaikum - Major clean energy projects to support AI and data centre growth in the UAE
Assalamu alaikum. Big renewable energy initiatives in the UAE are set to further support the expansion of AI and data centre industries in the country, a senior Masdar official said.
A new $6 billion round-the-clock renewable energy project in Abu Dhabi will act as a model for meeting sustainable power needs, Abdulla Zayed, Masdar’s director of business and project development, said in an interview.
“Demand is clearly rising in data centres and AI… they use a lot of electricity. With developments like this, the technological and AI revolutions can grow faster and wider,” he said.
Ground was recently broken on what is described as the world’s first 24/7 mega renewable energy plant, developed by Masdar together with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (Ewec). The project strengthens the UAE’s role in clean energy.
The plant will deliver 1 gigawatt of baseload renewable power around the clock at a globally competitive tariff. Once operating by 2027, it will produce gigascale baseload energy and has a capital investment of more than Dh22 billion (about $6 billion).
Baseload means the minimum continuous level of electricity demand that must be supplied throughout the day. The Al Wathba development will provide one gigawatt of uninterrupted clean power at a competitive price.
Combining 5.2 gigawatts of solar capacity with 19 gigawatt‑hours of battery storage is expected to be equivalent to powering over 500,000 homes, using advanced technologies, the companies said. The plant should also avoid roughly 5.7 million tonnes of CO2 emissions each year and create about 10,000 jobs.
The design includes modern features such as a virtual power plant, grid-forming and black-start capabilities, and AI-enhanced forecasting and intelligent dispatch.
Senior officials attended the groundbreaking, and Dr Sultan Al Jaber described the gigascale project as a step toward redefining how renewable energy serves the information age. The initiative was first announced at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
Mr Zayed noted the main challenge of renewable sources is intermittency - energy appears when the sun shines or wind blows - but pairing generation with batteries makes supply stable and green throughout the day.
Masdar and Ewec are open to expanding capacity and are exploring similar projects both inside and outside the UAE, tapping Masdar’s presence in over 40 countries. “From this project we plan to expand and do more, whether in the UAE, the region, Asia, Europe, Africa or the US,” he said.
The plant comes as the world works to triple renewable capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030 - targets seen as vital to keeping global warming within safer limits. Global renewable additions grew strongly in recent years, giving hope those goals remain achievable.
Mr Zayed added that when considering new regions, Masdar will study local rules, site conditions and available solar and wind resources. In places with both good wind and solar, mixing resources can lower overall investment needs.
May Allah bless efforts that protect the earth and benefit communities. Ramadan Kareem (if observing), and may we see more sustainable projects that serve people and the planet.
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