Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2025 commenced on Tuesday، Under patronage of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates with announcement poised to redefine the global energy landscape.
During the opening ceremony, Dr Sultan Ahmed al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, unveiled the world’s first integrated renewable energy and battery storage facility. This project is designed to provide uninterrupted, large-scale renewable energy around the clock in Abu Dhabi. The facility is a testament to the UAE leadership’s unwavering support in tackling the "moonshot challenge" of renewable energy intermittency.
This innovative project, a strategic collaboration between Masdar and the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), is the largest of its kind globally. It combines 5.2 gigawatts (GW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) power with 19 gigawatt-hours of battery storage to deliver 1 GW of continuous baseload renewable energy, setting a new global standard for sustainable energy production.
In his keynote speech, Dr Al Jaber called for global unity among stakeholders, industries, and governments to harness collective strength for sustainable economic growth and to unlock unparalleled opportunities.
“We are at the nexus of next—a defining moment that can accelerate socio-economic progress fueled by global megatrends,” Dr Al Jaber stated.
He highlighted how the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the expansion of emerging markets are driving global power demand from 9,000 GW today to over 15,000 GW by 2035, with projections reaching 35,000 GW by 2050.
Despite advancements in renewable energy adoption, Dr Al Jaber stressed that the surge in global energy demand requires a diverse range of energy solutions. He warned against restrictive policies that prematurely limit energy options, emphasizing, “Energy and sustainability are not opposing forces—they are essential partners.”
To meet emerging global energy needs, Abu Dhabi’s XRG platform will support the entire energy value chain, including gas, chemicals, low-carbon fuels, and energy infrastructure.
The inauguration of this state-of-the-art renewable energy and battery storage facility reaffirms Abu Dhabi’s leadership in global sustainability and innovation. It reflects the UAE's steadfast commitment to fostering sustainable development, in alignment with the forward-looking vision of Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan.
Then Shaikh Mohamed al Nahyan honored the winner of Zayed Sustainability Prize 2025 global innovators for their impactful sustainability solutions. In the Healthcategory, Periwinkle Technologies (India) was recognized for its Smart Scope®️ CX, an AI-powered device detecting cervical cancer, screening over 300,000 women and treating 5,000 pre-cancer cases. NaFarm Foods (Nigeria) won the Food category for its hybrid solar food dryers, aiding 65,000 farmers and cutting 50,000 tonnes of emissions annually.
In Energy, Palki Motors Limited (Bangladesh) was awarded for its electric vehicles with battery-swapping technology, aiming to reduce 260,000 tonnes of CO₂ by 2027. SkyJuice Foundation Inc (Australia) won the Water category for its SkyHydrant filtration system, providing safe water in 74 countries. OpenMap Development Tanzania was recognized in Climate Action for using community mapping to improve flood risk management.
The Global High Schools category celebrated student-led projects worldwide: Centro de Estudios Tecnológicos del Mar 7 (Mexico) for mangrove restoration, Sakafia Islamic Senior High School (Ghana) for aquaponics farming, Merryland International School (UAE) for carbon sponge bricks, Presidential School in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) for rainwater systems, Janamaitri Multiple Campus (Nepal) for water management, Te Pā o Rākaihautū (New Zealand) for ecosystem restoration, and Colegio De Ciencias Y Humanidades Plantel Vallejo (Mexico) for sustainable farming initiatives
ADSW is a global platform for accelerating sustainable development and climate action. Hosted by Masdar, ADSW brings together global leaders, policymakers, innovators, and investors to drive solutions for a more sustainable future.
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