Key Takeaways
Masdar and Elite Agro Holding have announced the first agricultural photovoltaic (AgriPV) project in the MENA region.
The pilot project is located at Elite Agro’s Al Foah Farm in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, and was unveiled during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
The initiative integrates solar power generation with greenhouse-based crop production to optimize land, water, and energy use.
The project supports the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, Net Zero 2050 ambitions, and the National Food Security Strategy 2051.
The AgriPV model is designed as a scalable reference for arid and semi-arid regions.
Masdar and Elite Agro Introduce AgriPV Pilot in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar has partnered with Elite Agro Holding to launch the first agricultural photovoltaic (AgriPV) project in the Middle East and North Africa region. The project was announced at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and will be implemented at Elite Agro’s Al Foah Farm in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi.
The initiative combines renewable energy generation with agricultural production, positioning the site as a reference model for integrating clean energy into farming systems under arid climate conditions.
Dual Land Use for Energy and Agriculture
AgriPV systems integrate solar photovoltaic panels with agricultural infrastructure, allowing land to be used simultaneously for electricity generation and crop cultivation. In greenhouse settings, the panels provide partial shading, which can reduce heat stress on crops, lower water demand, and support more stable growing conditions.
By deploying this approach in the UAE, the project aims to demonstrate how AgriPV can improve land productivity in regions facing constraints related to water availability, high temperatures, and limited arable land.
Masdar & Elite Agro: Supporting National Energy and Food Strategies
The AgriPV project aligns with the UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050 and Net Zero 2050 goals by expanding the use of renewable energy and improving energy efficiency. At the same time, it contributes to the National Food Security Strategy 2051 by supporting sustainable local food production through advanced agricultural technologies.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said: “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.”
A Scalable Model for Arid Climates
The pilot at Al Foah Farm is designed to deliver measurable outcomes, including data on water efficiency, crop performance, land-use optimization, and energy generation. These insights are expected to inform future large-scale AgriPV deployments in the UAE and across similar climatic regions.
Maurizio Terazzi, Chief Executive Officer of Elite Agro Holding, said: “By integrating agricultural production with clean energy generation, we are demonstrating that food security and energy transition are interconnected solutions, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions.”
Elite Agro Holding, which operates across the GCC, Europe, and Africa, stated that the project reflects its broader focus on sustainable farming and agri-technology. Together, Masdar and Elite Agro aim to establish a practical blueprint for strengthening the energy–food nexus and advancing resilient, resource-efficient agriculture in the region.
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