Masdar is Abu Dhabi’s clean energy company, established in 2006 as a subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company. Masdar develops, invests in, and operates renewable energy and sustainable technology projects globally, with a total portfolio capacity exceeding 20 gigawatts across more than 40 countries.
Formation
Masdar was founded as part of Abu Dhabi’s early commitment to positioning the emirate as a leader in the energy transition. The company was conceived as a comprehensive clean energy initiative encompassing renewable power generation, sustainable urban development (Masdar City), and research and education (through partnerships with universities and research institutions).
Ownership
Masdar’s ownership structure was reorganised in 2022, with ADNOC and TAQA joining Mubadala as shareholders. TAQA holds the majority stake, ADNOC holds a significant minority, and Mubadala retains a stake. This ownership structure aligns Abu Dhabi’s three major energy-related entities behind the clean energy transition.
Renewable Energy Portfolio
Masdar invests in and operates solar photovoltaic, concentrated solar power, wind (onshore and offshore), waste-to-energy, and energy storage projects. Major projects include the Noor Abu Dhabi solar plant (one of the world’s largest single-site solar projects), offshore wind farms in the United Kingdom, solar projects across the Middle East and North Africa, and wind farms in Central Asia. The company has set a target of reaching 100 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Global Presence
Masdar operates across more than 40 countries spanning the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas. This global diversification reflects both a commercial strategy and Abu Dhabi’s diplomatic positioning as a credible voice on energy transition.
COP28
Masdar’s profile was elevated by the UAE’s hosting of COP28 in 2023 in Dubai, which placed Abu Dhabi’s energy transition credentials under global scrutiny. Masdar served as a tangible demonstration of the UAE’s investment in renewable energy alongside its continued role as a major hydrocarbon producer.
Role in Vision 2030
Masdar directly supports the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030’s environmental sustainability objectives and its goal of developing non-oil revenue sources. The company represents Abu Dhabi’s institutional commitment to the energy transition — using hydrocarbon wealth to build a commercially viable clean energy business that will remain relevant in a decarbonising global economy.