The UAE is redefining its energy model with Masdar’s Round-the-Clock project, a gigascale renewable system delivering 24/7 clean power and reshaping the role of solar and storage globally.
From oil to renewables: a turning point for UAE clean energy
From oil producers to clean energy producers. The United Arab Emirates, which holds around 6% of global crude oil reserves, is looking to reshape its present and move toward an energy mix where renewables, particularly solar and wind, take a leading role in its future.
This direction was clearly reflected at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, the most important industry event in this part of the world.
During the three-day exhibition, where Rinnovabili was present with its own stand, the nearly €6 billion Round the Clock project was unveiled. The initiative is expected to mark a turning point in renewable energy production in the country.
By combining a photovoltaic plant with a battery energy storage system, the project will deliver 1 GW of stable renewable power. We discussed it with Ibraheem Almansouri, Director of Engineering di Masdar.
“A model for the UAE and beyond”
“With this project, we are reshaping the renewable energy industry in the United Arab Emirates. We do not see it simply as a project, but as a model that can be replicated globally.
As is well known, renewables have always been criticized because they produce electricity only when natural resources are available: solar when the sun shines, wind when the wind blows. The challenge has always been how to overcome their intermittent nature.
With our Round the Clock (RTC), we have developed something unique: the largest gigascale renewable project capable of delivering continuous baseload power, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, throughout the year and for 30 years.”
Scale and system design
“We combine 5.2 gigawatts of solar capacity with 19 gigawatt-hours of battery storage, the largest storage system within a single project, to deliver 1 gigawatt of baseload power.
In this way, we address intermittency and ensure a reliable energy supply.”
International expansion already underway
“We have already signed two memoranda of understanding: one with Uzbekistan to explore the installation of 1 gigawatt, and one with Kazakhstan, signed in May 2025, for 500 megawatts.
The ‘ingredients’ of RTC can vary depending on the country and its energy mix. Where wind resources are stronger, for example, we can combine wind, solar, and batteries.
It is important to underline that RTC is delivered at highly competitive tariffs, comparable to conventional baseload energy sources, while producing clean electricity.”
AI, energy demand, and system pressure
“We see challenges as opportunities. Before the rise of artificial intelligence, many studies estimated that global energy demand would grow from 9 to 15 terawatts by 2035.
With AI, these projections double, and we expect demand to reach up to 35 terawatts, putting enormous pressure on energy supply.
With our projects, we have shown that we can contribute significantly to the AI era by providing reliable, sustainable, and cost-competitive energy, while supporting economic growth.”
Alignment with national and AI strategies
“Another major challenge we address is the intermittency of renewables, which has long affected their credibility.
At the same time, the project is fully aligned with the UAE’s strategy on clean energy, decarbonization, climate change mitigation, and energy transition.
It is also aligned with the country’s AI ambitions: the UAE aims to become a key player in this field, and our project will provide clean electricity to the data centers required for AI.
As our chairman said during the opening ceremony, there is no artificial intelligence without real energy, and we must ask where that energy comes from. According to several studies, clean energy could cover up to 50% of the energy demand of AI-era data centers.”
Not only for AI: enabling broader decarbonization
“We focus first on customers, who need energy. The solution is not designed exclusively for AI.
It can unlock significant potential in hard-to-abate sectors that require reliable 24/7 power, regardless of resource availability.
RTC is therefore not just about artificial intelligence. It is a key tool for decarbonizing multiple sectors in an increasingly electrified world. More electrification means higher electricity demand, and we must always consider the carbon footprint of the energy sources used.”
Engineering for extreme desert conditions
“We operate in unique climatic conditions and must take them into account. High temperatures affect electrical components in general.
In photovoltaics, for example, we have analyzed heat-related losses, which are slightly higher than in other environments but are already factored into the design phase.
We conducted in-depth studies, validated by third parties, including computational fluid dynamics analyses, to assess the impact of the ‘heat island’ effect that can occur when many containers are concentrated.
The project includes adequate spacing to ensure proper ventilation and relies on passive cooling systems to keep batteries within their optimal operating range.”
Battery lifecycle and recycling challenges
“This is not an issue limited to batteries, but one that affects all electrical equipment. The European Union has also introduced very strict regulations on electronic waste.
The issue also concerns photovoltaics, which use semiconductors, and wind energy, for example in blade recycling.
Recycling is a major and widely discussed topic. We are working closely with OEMs to evaluate the best solutions, from material recycling to the potential reuse of batteries in other applications, giving them a second life.
There are studies showing that materials such as lithium can be recovered and reused.”
A shift in how renewables are perceived
“I attended the assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency two days ago and had the opportunity to speak with many European and Chinese colleagues.
The perception is very positive. There is a sense of pride in what we are doing and in the impact this project will have on the sector.
This project is changing how renewable energy is perceived. More and more clients and large data centers are turning to Masdar to understand how this model can be replicated in other countries.
If we look at the evolution of renewables, we can identify four phases: discovery and visibility, the subsidy phase, the era of gigascale projects, and finally the RTC phase, where renewables provide continuous baseload power.”
