World Record: Abu Dhabi Builds the Largest Battery Storage in the World with 19 GWh - Falling Prices Enable a Massive Technology Leap

Abu Dhabi (UAE) - Battery storage prices are falling rapidly worldwide, driving a sharp increase in large-scale projects. The United Arab Emirates recently celebrated the groundbreaking of a project that eclipses all previously realized global record projects.

The project by Masdar and the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) is the world’s first large-scale 24/7 renewable energy project at the gigawatt level. It combines a 5.2-GW solar park with a 19-GWh battery storage system (19,000 MWh), demonstrating that continuous renewable energy supply around the clock is possible. The project is intended to serve as a blueprint for other countries.

World Record: Groundbreaking for 1 GW Continuous Energy Supply

Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the massive project in Abu Dhabi. The Masdar and EWEC project has an investment volume of over 22 billion AED (approximately €5.15 billion). According to Masdar, it is the world’s largest solar-plus-storage hybrid project of its kind. The solar and battery project will provide a continuous output of 1 GW (1,000 MW).

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, said: “Today, Masdar and EWEC are laying the foundation for the future here in Abu Dhabi. This gigascale project is a step toward redefining the role of renewable energy for the information age. This breakthrough is the culmination of Masdar’s two decades of excellence in renewables and is testament to the power of collaboration in Abu Dhabi’s energy ecosystem. As the world looks for secure, sustainable and affordable energy, the UAE is proud to offer a new vision for technologically enabled growth.”

The UAE sees the project as a blueprint - an internationally replicable model to meet the growing demand for clean, secure, and round-the-clock energy. Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, stated: “Today’s groundbreaking is a proud occasion for Masdar and the UAE, and represents a pivotal moment in clean energy transformation. This world-first project, the largest and most ambitious in Masdar’s history, is a blueprint for the world, demonstrating that renewable energy can be dispatched around the clock. By overcoming the challenge of intermittency, we can provide sustainable power to meet fast-growing demand from advancements in artificial intelligence and other technologies.”

Rapid Global Growth in Battery Storage Capacity

The planned Abu Dhabi project, with a capacity of 19 GWh, surpasses not only the largest existing battery storage systems but also many of the most ambitious planned projects worldwide. This underscores the UAE’s leading role in energy storage and renewable energy.

Some of the largest planned battery storage projects (as of October 2025) include:

• BYD Saudi Arabia (Phase 3): 12.5 GWh, Saudi Arabia • Green Energy Corridor Phase II: 12 GWh, Ladakh, India • Oasis de Atacama: 11 GWh, Chile

Some of the largest battery storage projects currently under construction include:

• Darden Clean Energy Project: 4.6 GWh, California, USA • Eraring Battery Expansion: 2.8 GWh, New South Wales, Australia • Richmond Valley Solar Farm: 3.15 GWh, New South Wales, Australia

10,000 Jobs - Black Start Capability and AI

The project is expected to create over 10,000 new jobs and expand production capacity. Once operational in 2027, it could save approximately 5.7 million tons of CO₂ annually. The project uses state-of-the-art technologies, including virtual power plants, grid-forming functions, black start capabilities, AI-assisted forecasting, and smart energy distribution.

Ahmed Ali Al Shamsi, CEO of EWEC, added: “This landmark project is a testament to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and the unwavering commitment of EWEC and our partners in commissioning and developing transformative innovations that support national objectives. Abu Dhabi and the UAE are a global hub for artificial intelligence research, innovation, and adoption, and this project will ensure that the energy needs of this key sector are met sustainably, powering the next generation of economic growth.”

Masdar has a strong presence in battery storage, including the world’s first storage system connected to a floating offshore wind farm. In addition, Masdar operates and develops projects in multiple countries. By 2030, Masdar aims for a total portfolio capacity of 100 GW in clean energy technologies.

Source: IWR Online, 28 Oct 2025