Masdar: Abu Dhabi Future Energy PJSC – Masdar, a global clean energy leader, and Octopus Energy, the global energy tech disruptor, have signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for initiatives in the UK and Africa.
According to Emirates News Agency, Masdar and Octopus will work together to unlock hidden capacity across the UK’s distribution network to power the next generation of data centres. The agreements were signed during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in the UAE, against the backdrop of a significant grid connection crunch in the UK. Renewable energy projects often face long waits to connect, while electricity demand from data centres continues to surge.
Masdar and Octopus aim to address this challenge by identifying available capacity in the UK’s distribution network and creating smart, local energy systems. These systems will integrate on-site solar, batteries, and flexible grid connections, enabling data centres to access power more quickly, bypassing prolonged network delays.
Octopus’s Kraken-powered optimisation technology will play a crucial role by dynamically balancing on-site generation, batteries, and grid power. This approach will ensure uptime for energy-intensive AI workloads while reducing costs by shifting consumption to more affordable periods.
Under the second MoU, Masdar and Octopus will focus on scaling clean energy across Africa. The collaboration will leverage Africa’s abundant solar and wind resources for commercial and industrial users, deploying local grids and distributed energy systems to support jobs, productivity, and industrial growth. This initiative seeks to address the significant challenge of underinvestment in grids, flexibility, and system integration facing African businesses.
Masdar will initially collaborate with Octopus on projects in South Africa, with plans to expand to other countries in the near future. Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, emphasized the shared commitment of Masdar and Octopus Energy to expand access to renewable energy and power global progress. He highlighted the potential of these agreements to transform the energy market in both the UK and Africa.
Greg Jackson, Founder and CEO of Octopus Energy, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting its potential to accelerate the transition to cleaner, cheaper energy solutions. He praised Masdar’s vision and capabilities, aligning with Octopus’s focus on delivering real value to countries and citizens through renewables.
Masdar is targeting collaboration with Octopus on its Power Africa Initiative, part of Global Citizens’ ‘Scaling Up Renewables in Africa Campaign’. The initiative aims to catalyze $450 million in investments across various clean-energy solutions, including grids and distributed assets, to deliver clean power directly to homes and businesses, boosting African economies.
In 2023, Masdar signed a framework agreement to license Octopus’ Kraken technology platform for flexible management of its battery storage portfolio in the UK.