Masdar, a global leader in renewable energy and sustainable urban development, has announced that CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd.) has been selected as the preferred battery energy storage system (BESS) supplier for the world’s largest solar and battery storage project, known as the UAE Round-the-Clock (RTC) clean energy project. This groundbreaking initiative will combine 5.2 GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) power with a 19 GWh battery storage system to deliver 1 GW of uninterrupted renewable energy, 24 hours a day. The project, with an estimated investment exceeding $6 billion, aims to power the world’s first AI-powered, zero-carbon green data center with stable and continuous clean energy.
Pioneering the World’s First Round-the-Clock Renewable Energy Project
The RTC project, a collaboration between Masdar and the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), represents a significant milestone in renewable energy innovation. Located in Abu Dhabi, the project will integrate a 5.2 GW solar PV plant with a 19 GWh battery storage system, making it the largest of its kind globally. By addressing the intermittency challenges of renewable energy, the RTC project will provide consistent, baseload power around the clock, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global leader in clean energy and sustainable development.
Abdulaziz Alobaidli, Chief Operating Officer of Masdar, highlighted the importance of the project:
“This record-breaking initiative marks a major leap forward in the clean energy transformation, overcoming the challenges of renewable energy intermittency and enabling uninterrupted power supply. As Masdar’s most ambitious project to date, we are committed to collaborating with the best global partners to ensure the highest standards are met, setting a new global benchmark in renewable energy innovation.”
CATL’s TENER Technology: Ensuring Efficiency and Reliability
As the world’s leading battery manufacturer, CATL will provide its advanced TENER battery storage technology for the RTC project. Designed with all-round safety, long service life, and high integration, CATL’s TENER technology will play a critical role in ensuring the reliability and stability of the project over its lifetime.
This collaboration reinforces CATL’s leadership in providing energy storage solutions for large-scale projects. The company’s advanced technology will meet the stringent demands of the RTC project, supporting the seamless integration of solar power into the grid and guaranteeing 24/7 clean energy delivery.
CATL emphasized the project’s significance in expanding its presence in the data center market, where the need for sustainable and uninterrupted power is increasing. By offering efficient and safe energy storage solutions, CATL aims to support the development of zero-carbon data centers worldwide.
Collaboration with Leading Partners
In addition to CATL, Masdar has announced JA Solar and Jinko Solar as the preferred suppliers for the project’s PV modules, each contributing 2.6 GW of capacity. Both companies will utilize state-of-the-art TopCon technology, ensuring maximum efficiency and production for over 30 years.
Larsen & Toubro, a leading engineering firm, and POWERCHINA, a major global construction company, were selected as the project’s Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractors. During the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), Masdar signed Letters of Award with the contractors in a special ceremony. Abdulaziz Alobaidli represented Masdar, while Yu Feng, President of HDEC International, signed for POWERCHINA, and A. Ravindran, Senior Vice President of Larsen & Toubro, signed on behalf of his company.
These partnerships underscore Masdar’s commitment to working with top-tier global entities to deliver a transformative renewable energy project that aligns with the UAE’s ambitious sustainability goals.
Driving the UAE’s Clean Energy Vision
The RTC project is a cornerstone of the UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050 and its broader vision for sustainable development. By enabling continuous clean energy delivery, the project will enhance the country’s energy security, reduce carbon emissions, and support economic growth.
This initiative also aligns with the UAE’s commitments at COP28, reinforcing its leadership in global climate action. The integration of large-scale battery storage with solar PV will create a transformative impact on energy systems, offering unparalleled stability and efficiency.
The RTC project is expected to contribute significantly to the UAE’s goal of producing 50% of its energy from clean sources by 2050. It also supports the strategic objectives outlined in the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy and the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.
Since its founding in 2006, Masdar has been a driving force behind the UAE’s global leadership in renewable energy and climate action. With projects in over 40 countries, Masdar aims to increase its renewable energy capacity to 100 GW by 2030, further advancing the UAE’s sustainable energy ambitions.
A Future of Zero-Carbon Data Centers
As the demand for AI-powered and data-intensive applications grows, the need for zero-carbon, energy-efficient data centers has become critical. The RTC project will set a new standard for integrating renewable energy into the data center sector, ensuring reliable power supply while minimizing environmental impact.
CATL’s innovative energy storage solutions will play a key role in meeting these requirements. By providing stable, cost-effective, and sustainable power, CATL aims to support the global transition to zero-carbon data centers, fostering a greener future for industries relying on data and technology.
Looking Ahead
The successful implementation of the RTC project will serve as a model for future renewable energy initiatives worldwide. By integrating large-scale solar PV and battery storage, the project addresses key challenges in clean energy deployment and demonstrates the feasibility of 24/7 renewable power generation.
As the global renewable energy landscape evolves, partnerships like the one between Masdar and CATL will be crucial in driving innovation and expanding the adoption of clean energy technologies. Together, these efforts will contribute to achieving global carbon neutrality goals and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
CATL’s involvement in this landmark project not only solidifies its position as a leader in energy storage but also highlights its commitment to advancing green energy solutions on a global scale. With projects like the RTC initiative, CATL and its partners are paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
