Masdar City Mosque Opens as Abu Dhabi’s First Net-Zero Energy Mosque

Abu Dhabi has opened its first net-zero energy mosque in Masdar City at the start of Ramadan, marking a new milestone in sustainable religious infrastructure.
The Masdar City Mosque generates as much electricity as it consumes over the course of a year, powered entirely by solar energy installed across its roof and parking shades. The photovoltaic system spans 1,074 square metres and produces enough clean energy to meet 100% of the building’s annual demand. The complex can accommodate up to 1,300 worshippers, with a 20.2-metre-high minaret serving as a new landmark within the district.
The design references the historic Al Bidyah Mosque while incorporating contemporary engineering. A 42-metre-wide column-free prayer hall provides an uninterrupted interior space, while a 319-cubic-metre rammed earth Qibla wall — the first of its kind in a public building in Abu Dhabi — helps regulate indoor temperatures using traditional construction techniques adapted for modern use.
The mosque has been awarded LEED Platinum certification and a Net-Zero Energy Certification from the International Living Future Institute. Energy demand is reduced through passive design strategies, including building orientation, shaded arcades, natural ventilation and daylighting. Additional efficiency measures include district cooling and LED lighting.
The site also features Abu Dhabi’s first greywater recycling system for a mosque, allowing ablution water to be reused for irrigation.