Masdar tackles an ambitious world record: UAE’s Masdar and Emirates Water and Electricity Company (Ewec) will build a USD 6 bn, 5.2 GW solar project that will be linked to a 19 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) making it one of the largest of its kind in the world, according to a statement on Tuesday. Gemini’s Nevada facility currently has the title of the world’s largest solar energy storage project with 1.4 GWh of storage capacity, Bloomberg reported.

About the project: The mega project will produce 1 GW of uninterrupted baseload power clean power daily. It covers an area of 90 sq km in the Abu Dhabi desert and will receive financing through both debt and equity. Emirates Water and Electricity Company will also work on the project which is set to be completed by 2027.

THAT’S NOT ALL FOR MASDAR-

The Emirati renewables player signed two agreements with the Philippines to develop 1 GW of solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems by 2030, marking its entry into the country’s market, according to a press release. The planned developments would support the Philippines' goal for renewables to account for 35% of power generation by 2030 and 50% by 2040.

There is more across the pond: Masdar is also set to ramp up its US operations with a target of 25 GW of renewable capacity in the next five years, Bloomberg reports, citing Masdar Americas’ CEO Philip Haddad. Masdar plans to accelerate its US-based growth beyond the added pipeline from its recent acquisition of Terra-Gen’s current portfolio. The company is also eyeing expansion into Latin America, with Haddad identifying Brazilian wind and solar projects as key acquisition targets.

REMEMBER: The company aims to reach 100 GW of global renewable energy capacity by 2030.

IN OTHER SOLAR UPDATES-

Tunisia launches 200 MW solar tenders: Tunisia launched the second round of its push to develop 1.7 GW of solar PV projects under the country’s concession system, offering two projects with 100 MW capacity each, according to a statement on Tuesday. Registrations are open till 28 February, after which the interested parties will receive tender documents and subsequent addendums. Final tender submissions are due on 30 April.

ICYMI- Tunisia awarded contracts for four photovoltaic projects totaling 500 MW in the first phase of its 1.7 GW tender last month. The projects — expected to be operational by 2027 — will generate approximately 1 TWh annually, accounting for about 5% of the country’s national electricity production.

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