Abu Dhabi-Masdar and EDF Renewables announced on January 21 that they have signed a strategic agreement to explore Israel's renewable energy opportunities and support the country's clean energy goals.

Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi and EDF Group Renewable Energy Senior Executive Vice President and EDF Renewable Energy Chairman and CEO Bruno Bensasson signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a virtual ceremony held by the side business 2021 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).

Development of clean energy goals

According to the agreement, Masdar and EDF Renewables Israel (a wholly-owned subsidiary established in 2010) will seek cooperation in existing renewable energy projects and projects under development, and will also explore joint participation in new plans announced by the Israeli government .

Israel plans to source 30% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, higher than the previous target of 17%, because Israel hopes to phase out the use of coal. To achieve the new goal, an additional 15 GW of solar capacity will need to be developed during this period.

Speaking of the agreement, Israel’s Minister of Energy, Dr. Yuval Steinitz, said: “We are seeing the start-up results of the Abraham Agreement in the energy sector! We welcome all investments to bring us closer to achieving the goals I set for solar energy in Arabia. The new partnership between Masdar in the United Arab Emirates and EDF (EDF), an international company that has invested in renewable energy around the world and has been operating in Israel for ten years, expresses its interest in the Israeli energy market Confidence and will help us achieve our goal of becoming a world leader in solar energy within six to seven years."

"The UAE and Israel have entered a new era of cooperation in renewable energy and related technologies, which will benefit our two countries and support our clean energy goals. Israel is known for its innovative ecosystem, and we look forward to Establish a partnership with EDF Renewables Israel to jointly develop solutions that can promote the energy transition." Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi said.

"This also strengthens our existing strong partnership with EDF Renewables. We have already started projects with EDF Renewables in the Middle East and North Africa and North America."

"Israel is a country with long-term attractiveness in renewable energy and innovative technologies. EDF renewable energy has developed a leadership position in the country, especially in the field of solar energy. I am very happy to expand into new regions. We and Masdar And today, we signed this strategic alliance in Israel. By working hand-in-hand with Masdar in the Israeli market, we will consolidate the leadership of the Israeli EDF renewable energy team over the past decade ." Bruno Bensasson, Senior Executive Vice President of EDF Group added: President of EDF Renewable Energy Company, Chairman and CEO of Renewable Energy Company.

Numerous cooperation projects

Masdar and EDF Renewables have cooperated in many projects in the Middle East and North Africa, including the Al Dhafra solar project-which will become the world's largest single-site solar power plant. The two companies are also cooperating in the third phase of 800 megawatts (MW) of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai and are part of a consortium to develop the largest wind farm in the Middle East. It is the 400 MW Dumat Al Jandal project in the Middle East.

In 2020, Masdar and EDF Renewables also agreed to cooperate with eight renewable energy projects in the United States, including wind, solar and battery storage assets with a total capacity of 1.6 GW.

EDF Renewable Energy Israel operates and manages 18 grid-connected medium and high voltage projects, with a total installed capacity of 323 MWp in operation. Currently, 17 ground and floating projects are under construction, and another 255 MWp project will be connected in 2021. Editor/Xu Shengpeng