L&T, which lost Rs 70,000 Crore tender days after its boss 90-hour work week remark, bags major project in…, the deal is for…

After being part of huge controversy over the chairman's 90 hour week remark, this news has brought relief for L&T’s which highlights its contribution to global energy transition efforts.

Indian construction giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been chosen as the preferred engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor for the northern site of the world’s first 24/7 gigawatt-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Abu Dhabi.

In January 2025, S.N. Subrahmanyan stirred debate with a suggestion that employees work 90 hours a week, including Sundays. The statement drew widespread criticism online, sparking conversations about work-life balance and corporate expectations, L&T was caught under big controversy after the statement went viral. The Ministry of Defence had also recently rejected its bid to build six advanced submarines under the Indian Navy’s Project 75 India, due to non-compliance with tender specifications by L&T.

This ambitious initiative, led by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) in collaboration with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (Ewec), represents a significant leap in renewable energy innovation. It features a 5.2GW (DC) solar PV plant integrated with a 19GWh battery energy storage facility—the largest of its kind globally. Designed to deliver up to 1GW of baseload power around the clock, the project addresses renewable energy intermittency and sets a new benchmark in clean energy reliability.

L&T Project In Abu Dhabi

According to media reports, the groundbreaking solar and storage facility is divided into two equal sites, north and south, each comprising 2.6GW of solar PV capacity and 9.5GWh of battery storage. Announced during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the initiative underscores the UAE’s dedication to clean energy and sustainable development.

A Letter of Award was signed at the event by Abdulaziz Alobaidli, Chief Operating Officer of Masdar, and A. Ravindran, Senior Vice President & Head of Renewables IC at L&T. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, also attended the ceremony.

L&T On Project

L&T Chairman and Managing Director S.N. Subrahmanyan added, “The foresightedness coupled with definitive actions reflect the UAE’s leadership role in accelerating sustainable economic progress. L&T is determined to bring advanced capabilities to the global energy transition.” Madhava Das, Whole-Time Director and Senior Executive Vice President for Utilities at L&T, stated, that this partnership with Masdar is a testament to their capabilities in dispatchable renewable generation and power transmission. He added, ”We are fully committed to delivering this ultra-mega project, advancing clean energy adoption in the region.”