Masdar to help launch the region’s first agricultural PV project

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) is launching the first agricultural photovoltaic (AgriPV) project in the MENA region in partnership with Elite Agro Holding.

The project will be located at Elite Agro’s Al Foah Farm in Al Ain, and will serve as a scalable reference model for sustainable farming and renewable energy integration in the region.

By combining solar panels with greenhouses, AgriPV solutions enable land to be used both for clean energy generation and crop cultivation, maximising resource efficiency, crucial in areas with limited arable land and high energy demand.

Shading from PV panels can also reduce heat and water stress on plants, potentially improving crop yields and reducing irrigation needs.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, commented: “This groundbreaking project will demonstrate how clean energy and agriculture can thrive together, making food systems more resilient and supporting food and energy security.

“By integrating advanced solar technology with local farming, we will reduce water use, boost crop yields, and generate renewable power as part of our commitment to innovation, resilience, and a greener future for the UAE and beyond.”

The project, announced at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) which is hosted by Masdar, advances the UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050 and Net Zero 2050 ambitions by expanding clean energy deployment and efficiency, and also contributes to the National Food Security Strategy 2051.

AgriPV combines energy, agriculture

Tailored for UAE conditions, the project will provide a blueprint for sustainable agriculture and energy in arid climates, generating valuable data on the technical, economic, and agricultural impacts of AgriPV for future large-scale deployments.

Maurizio Terazzi, Chief Executive Officer of Elite Agro Holding, said: “This partnership with Masdar marks an important step in supporting how agriculture is practiced in arid and semi-arid regions.

“By integrating agricultural production with clean energy generation, we are demonstrating that food security and energy transition are not parallel ambitions, but interconnected solutions.”

“The AgriPV pilot at Al Foah farm is designed to generate real, measurable outcomes, from improved water efficiency and crop performance to optimised land use and energy resilience.”

Abu Dhabi-based Elite Agro Holding operates in the GCC, Serbia, Morocco, Mauritania, and Ethiopia and is leading the way toward a more self-sufficient, food-secure tomorrow.