Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) is set to sign an agreement with the Scottish government to partner on research in the field of renewable energy.

Following a visit to the UAE by First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond in November 2011, Scotland and the state-run Masdar have agreed to work together on renewable energy research and initiatives.

A formal agreement will be signed between Salmond and Masdar’s chief executive officer Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber on 17 January in Abu Dhabi during the World Future Energy Summit.

Masdar currently has the largest operational solar power project in the Gulf. It has a 10MW photovoltaic solar project in operation and another 100MW, Shams 1, which is under construction. Further solar projects are planned for sites in Masdar City and elsewhere in Abu Dhabi.