- Agreement targets rapid rollout of more than 30 GW of solar PV and over 8 GW of battery energy storage to support UAE energy transition.
- Framework to strengthen security of supply, industrial growth, and In Country Value while advancing net zero objectives.
- Partnership builds on major utility scale projects including Al Dhafra Solar PV and giga-scale round the clock solar storage developments.
EWEC, the Emirates Water and Electricity Company responsible for integrated planning, purchasing, supply, and system dispatch of water and electricity across the UAE, has signed a strategic Collaboration Framework Agreement with Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC, known as Masdar, a global leader in clean energy development.
The agreement sets out a structured roadmap to accelerate the deployment of large scale renewable energy infrastructure across the UAE, supporting diversification of the national energy mix, strengthening security of supply, and enabling industrial expansion through access to clean and reliable power. A key feature of the framework is its focus on maximising In Country Value and developing Emirati talent and expertise within the energy sector.
The agreement was signed by Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC, and Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar. It is designed to streamline Masdar’s participation in EWEC’s renewable energy project pipeline, covering stages from early development through to financial close, while maintaining the transparency and independence of competitive procurement processes.
EWEC and Masdar have an established track record of collaboration on major renewable energy projects, including Al Dhafra Solar PV, Al Ajban Solar PV, Khazna Solar PV, and a gigascale round the clock solar and battery storage initiative that integrates large scale generation with storage to provide continuous clean power supply.
Under the new framework, EWEC aims to accelerate delivery of more than 30 GW of solar PV capacity and over 8 GW of battery energy storage systems by 2035. This expansion is expected to play a central role in meeting 60% of Abu Dhabi’s total energy demand from renewable and clean sources by 2035, while supporting the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.
Ahmed Ali Alshamsi said EWEC is driving the UAE’s energy transition through utility scale power and water planning and that the agreement with Masdar will help accelerate deployment while ensuring long term supply security. He added that the framework supports continuous optimisation of processes to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency, while enabling large scale integration of solar and storage infrastructure.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi said the agreement reinforces the long standing partnership between Masdar and EWEC and builds on their joint progress in delivering advanced clean energy solutions. He noted that the collaboration will help diversify the energy mix, strengthen national energy security, and provide reliable and affordable clean power to support local industrial growth.
The initiative aligns with Abu Dhabi’s Clean Energy Strategic Target 2035 for Electricity Production and supports broader national efforts to decarbonise the power sector. EWEC’s long term roadmap also targets near emissions free water production by 2030, alongside a major expansion of renewable and clean energy capacity across the emirate.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
