French energy giant EDF has announced plans to explore the development of a 5GW pumped-storage hydropower facility in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.
The move is part of the company’s broader commitment to advancing energy storage solutions and supporting the UAE’s clean energy transition.
Luc Koechlin, CEO of EDF Middle East, announced the plan during the Ras Al Khaimah Municipality Department Energy Summit, according to local media reports.
She noted that the proposed plant has immense transformative potential for enhancing the UAE’s renewable energy infrastructure.
“This initiative aligns with the UAE’s ambitious climate goals and aims to provide reliable and sustainable energy storage solutions capable of stabilizing electricity supply for the long term.”
The proposed facility is designed to store energy for up to 12 hours, a critical feature for ensuring grid reliability as renewable energy increasingly contributes to the energy mix.
This development builds on EDF’s prior involvement in the region, including its work on Dubai’s Hatta pumped-storage hydroelectric plant.
That project, with a capacity of 250 MW and 1,500 MWh of storage, is expected to be operational by mid-2025, showcasing the company’s technical expertise in energy storage solutions.
The 5GW hydropower plant underlines the growing role of pumped-storage technology in energy systems worldwide, particularly in regions like the UAE, which are seeking innovative ways to meet peak energy demands while reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
The UAE is already taking proactive steps in renewable energy adoption, including significant investments in solar and hydrogen projects, as it aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
