The UAE celebrates the International Day of Clean Energy today, having established a global leadership position in this vital sector. It has launched many initiatives and projects that contribute to the international community’s collective action on climate change.
The occasion comes a few days after the conclusion of the 2023 The Year of Sustainability, during which it achieved significant milestones that confirmed its role in accelerating the region and the world’s transformation towards the era of environmentally friendly renewable energy.
UAE Energy Strategy 2050
Last year, the UAE Cabinet approved the “UAE Energy Strategy 2050” which aims, in its first phase, to reduce emissions and reach climate neutrality in the electricity and water sector by 205o. This involves reducing emissions, eliminating clean coal from the energy mix, and increasing consumption efficiency.
The strategy also aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and raise the efficiency of individual and institutional consumption by 42 percent – 45 percent compared to 2019. Moreover, it aims to raise the contribution of renewable energy three-fold by 2030. It also involves raising the UAE’s total installed capacity of clean energy from 14.2 gigawatts to 19.8 gigawatts by 2030. In addition, it seeks to increase the UAE’s contribution of installed capacity for clean energy from the total energy mix to 30 percent by 2030. Finally, it aims to raise the contribution of clean energy generation to 32 percent by 2030 to ensure that the UAE stays on track to reduce the effects of climate change.
National Hydrogen Strategy
In 2023, the UAE launched its National Hydrogen Strategy, which outlined steps to establish two hydrogen oases and study the potential for three future oases. This enhances the UAE’s position as a global producer and exporter of clean energy. Moreover, it boosts local production capabilities, accelerates the global hydrogen economy, and stimulates the domestic market. In addition, it promotes regulatory frameworks and policies supporting hydrogen as a fuel for the future.
The strategy also fosters regional cooperation and increases investment in research and development. Thus, the strategy aims to create economic growth, generate thousands of jobs by 2050, and reduce emissions in high-emission sectors by up to 25 percent by 2031.
Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant
Last November, the UAE launched the Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant, with a production capacity of 2 gigawatts. This makes it the world’s largest solar power station in a single location. The station, which was established in one phase, is located 35 kilometers from Abu Dhabi. Moreover, it contributes to supplying about 200,000 homes with electricity and avoiding the emission of 2.4 million tons of carbon annually. The station includes around 4 million dual-faced solar panels, an innovative technology that allows more efficient electricity production by capturing solar radiation through both the front and back faces of the solar panels.
World’s largest concentrated solar power project
Last December, the UAE launched the world’s largest concentrated solar power project as part of the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. The fourth phase has a production capacity of 950 megawatts. Therefore, it is the UAE’s largest investment project using three common technologies to produce clean energy. It includes a total of 600 megawatts of parabolic trough collectors, a 100-megawatt solar power tower, and 250 megawatts of photovoltaic solar panels. The investment in this project reaches AED15.78 billion under the Independent Power Producer model. Moreover, the project features the world’s tallest solar power tower at 263.126 meters. It also includes the largest thermal energy storage capacity of 5,907 megawatts/h, as recognized by Guinness World Records.
COP28
On the global front, the UAE hosted the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) conference. COP28 marked a significant milestone in the global transition towards clean energy. Hence, the conference approved the historic UAE Consensus, which, for the first time, indicated a transition to a fuel-free energy system that does not mitigate its emissions, enabling the world to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
The conference also successfully adopted the Global Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Commitment. This commitment aims to triple renewable energy production capacity to at least 11,000 gigawatts, double the annual energy efficiency increase rate to over 4 percent by 2030, and was supported by 130 countries.
Financing initiative
Last September, the UAE announced a financing initiative worth AED16.5 billion to enhance the capabilities of multiple African countries in the field of clean energy. The initiative establishes, develops, and operates a wide range of solar and wind energy programs and projects, among other clean energy solutions.
This initiative falls under Union 7, a development program the UAE launched during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in 2022 with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It aims to provide clean electricity to 100 million people across the African continent by 2035, adding further significance based on the number of beneficiaries.
Read: IEA: UAE’s electricity from renewable sources to rise 12% by 2026
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development
In the same context, since 1974, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has continued its journey in supporting renewable energy projects around the world. Hence, its efforts have contributed to financing more than 75 strategic projects in many countries.
Additionally, the beneficiary countries have succeeded in reducing their reliance on fossil fuels. Moreover, they created thousands of job opportunities for their citizens, contributing positively to the development journey, and ensuring a more sustainable future for future generations.
Masdar
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar, is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy companies globally. It operates in over 40 countries across six continents. Masdar has expanded its portfolio of clean energy projects to reach a total production capacity of over 20 gigawatts. Hence, its capacity is sufficient to power 5.25 million homes. These projects significantly contribute to reducing emissions by more than 30 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. That is equivalent to removing 6.5 million cars from the roads.
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