Overview
Masdar, formally known as the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, was established in 2006 as a strategic initiative by the Government of Abu Dhabi. Wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company, Masdar has grown into one of the world’s largest investors in renewable energy, with a portfolio spanning more than 40 countries across six continents.
The company operates across three integrated business units: Masdar Clean Energy, which develops and invests in utility-scale renewable projects; Masdar Green Real Estate, which manages sustainable real estate developments including Masdar City; and Masdar Innovation, which supports the commercialization of emerging clean technologies.
Strategic Role in UAE Vision 2031
Masdar is central to the UAE’s ambition of tripling its renewable energy capacity by the early 2030s. The company’s project pipeline includes onshore and offshore wind, solar photovoltaic, concentrated solar power, energy storage, and green hydrogen. These projects contribute directly to the UAE Energy Strategy, which targets a diversified energy mix with a significant share of clean sources.
Beyond domestic deployment, Masdar’s international portfolio positions the UAE as a global leader in the energy transition. The company’s partnerships with sovereign wealth funds and energy majors in Europe, Asia, and the Americas amplify Abu Dhabi’s influence in shaping the future of sustainable energy markets.
Masdar City
Masdar City stands as one of the world’s most ambitious sustainable urban developments. Designed as a low-carbon, technology-driven community, the city serves as both a living laboratory and a commercial hub for cleantech companies, research institutions, and startups. It houses the regional headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.
The city’s master plan integrates passive cooling design, district-level energy systems, water recycling, and autonomous transport solutions. It offers a tangible model for how future urban environments in arid climates can reduce resource consumption while maintaining high quality of life.
Green Hydrogen and Emerging Technologies
Masdar has made significant investments in green hydrogen production, partnering with industrial giants to develop large-scale electrolysis facilities powered by renewable energy. These initiatives position Abu Dhabi as a potential export hub for green hydrogen, linking to emerging demand in Europe and East Asia.
The company also explores advanced battery storage, floating solar, and next-generation wind turbine technologies. By maintaining a diversified technology portfolio, Masdar ensures that the UAE remains at the frontier of clean energy innovation rather than dependent on any single pathway.
International Presence
Masdar’s global footprint includes landmark projects such as the London Array offshore wind farm, the Shams 1 concentrated solar plant, and large-scale solar installations across the Middle East, Central Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. This international reach generates knowledge transfer, builds diplomatic capital, and creates revenue streams that reduce Abu Dhabi’s reliance on hydrocarbon exports.
Looking Ahead
As the UAE prepares for a post-oil economy, Masdar’s mandate continues to expand. The company’s target of reaching 100 GW of installed renewable capacity by 2030 represents one of the most aggressive clean energy growth trajectories of any single entity worldwide. Its success will be a defining measure of whether the UAE can translate its energy transition ambitions into tangible, large-scale results.