The UAE has achieved a major milestone in its clean energy efforts, with renewable energy now accounting for 27.83% of the country’s total energy mix in 2023.
Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, highlighted these accomplishments in an interview ahead of the World Utilities Congress 2024, which begins tomorrow in Abu Dhabi.
Al Mazrouei emphasized the UAE's commitment to increasing clean energy production to 32% by 2030, noting that renewable energy capacity had doubled between 2019 and 2022. In 2023 alone, installed capacity grew by 70%, reaching 6.1 GW. He also cited significant investments in clean energy projects, totaling AED 45 billion.
The minister outlined key projects driving the UAE’s clean energy expansion, including Phase VI of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, Dubai’s waste-to-energy initiative, and major photovoltaic plants in Abu Dhabi. Other critical developments include the Hatta hydroelectric plant and the recently commissioned Barakah nuclear reactor.
Al Mazrouei also highlighted ADNOC’s carbon capture initiatives, aiming for climate neutrality by 2045. He noted that the UAE leads in green hydrogen production competitiveness and ranks first in the MENA region for hydrogen market readiness.
Additionally, the UAE’s Federal Energy Management Regulation aims to reduce industrial energy demand by 33% by 2050, saving AED 14 billion. A new policy to regulate the energy services market will further promote public-private partnerships in energy efficiency, targeting a 25% reduction in energy use in federal buildings.
The World Utilities Congress will provide a platform for global experts to exchange insights on sustainability and water security, reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in clean energy innovation.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
