Renewable Energy Initiatives in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has set so many ambitious targets and new initiatives to increase the dependence on renewable energy sources. The major goal is to increase the share of clean energy in its total power consumption to 50% by the end of 2050. The country has invested in solar and wind energy projects to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

In this article, we are going to discuss the different renewable energy initiatives taken by the UAE in recent years in detail.

Renewable Energy Projects in the UAE

At the COP 28 Climate Summit, the UAE showed its efforts to go green. They are doing things like cutting back on subsidies for fossil fuels and stopping methane flaring. UAE is investing a lot of money in clean energy, water desalination, and carbon capture projects. These projects are meant to lower harmful emissions, especially carbon dioxide. These projects and initiatives will help the UAE reach its goals for the Paris Agreement and its targets for clean energy by 2050.

Here are some major projects and initiatives on Renewable Energy Initiatives in the UAE as mentioned below.

Overview of Renewable Energy Initiatives in the UAE
Project Name	Capacity And Works	Location In UAE
Barakah Nuclear Power Plant	5,600 Mega Watts	Barakah
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park	2,427 Mega Watts	Dubai
Noor Abu Dhabi	1.2 Giga Watts	Abu Dhabi
Sweihan Solar Power Plant	2,594 Giga Herewats	Sweihan
Al-Dhafra Solar Power Plant	4,700 Giga Watt Hours (GWh)	Al-Dhafra
Taweelah Reverse Osmosis Facility	183 Million Imperial Gallons	Taweelah
Al Reyadah CCUS	Process 800,000 Tonne Of CO2	Al Reyadah
Habshan CCUS	Process 1.5 Million Tons Of CO2	Habshan
Street Lighting PPP	1.8 Billion Kilo Watts	Various Cities
Themar Al Emarat Microgrid Project	250 Kilo Watts Storage	Themar Al Emarat
Hydrogen Pilot Site	0.7 Metric Ton of hydrogen	Masdar City
Large Green Hydrogen Projects	300,000 Tonnes	Khalifa Economic Zones

1. Barakah Nuclear Power Plant – 5,600 MW – Barakah

Barakah Nuclear Power Plant is the UAE’s first and the Arab world’s inaugural nuclear power facility.
Located in Abu Dhabi’s Dhafra region, approximately 53 kilometers southwest of the city.
Owned by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation.
Operational since 2019, featuring four APR-1400 nuclear reactors.
Vital component of UAE’s energy diversification strategy.
Supplies clean, efficient energy to homes, businesses, and government entities.
Contributes to lowering the nation’s carbon footprint.

2. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park – 2,427 MW – Dubai

The UAE’s first and largest solar photovoltaic (PV) installation is located just 50 kilometers away from the Cop28 venue.
Nearly all of the initial five phases of the solar park are operational, boasting a combined installed capacity exceeding 2.4GW.
The project’s fourth phase, nearing completion, is set to become perhaps the world’s largest hybrid solar PV and concentrated solar power plant.
This year witnessed the awarding of the contract to develop the sixth phase, which is designed to have an impressive installed capacity of 1.8GW.

3. Noor Abu Dhabi – 1.2 GW – Abu Dhabi

Noor Abu Dhabi is located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
It has garnered recognition as the world’s largest single-site solar power plant, a title it held as of November 2022.
With a remarkable capacity of 1.2 GW and comprised of over 3.3 million solar panels.
It stands as a testament to the UAE’s dedication to renewable energy.
The plant officially commenced commercial operations in April 2019, under the previous name of the Sweihan Photovoltaic Independent Power Project (IPP).

4. Sweihan Solar Power Plant – 2,594 GWh – Sweihan

Sweihan Solar Power Plant is located in Sweihan, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
It boasts a capacity of 1.17 GW.
The plant comprises over 2.4 million solar panels.
Operations commenced in 2019.
Ownership is jointly held by Marubeni Corporation, JinkoSolar, and the Abu Dhabi Electricity and Water Authority (ADWEA).

5. Al-Dhafra Solar Power Plant – 4,700 GWh – Al-Dhafra

Abu Dhabi’s first solar PV plant, the 935MW Sweihan independent power project (IPP), began operating in 2019.
The UAE capital’s second utility-scale solar PV IPP in Al-Dhafra, which has a capacity of 1.5GW, is expected to be inaugurated imminently.
Emirates Water & Electricity Company (Ewec) received world-record-low tariffs, as has Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa), for these projects.
The Al Dhafra Solar PV plant is the world’s largest single-site solar power plant, covering more than 20 square kilometers of desert.
It has a generating capacity of 2 gigawatts (GW), which is enough to provide carbon-free electricity to over 200,000 homes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The plant uses nearly 4 million solar panels that have innovative bi-facial technology, capturing sunlight on both sides to maximize yield.
Expected to supply enough clean energy to power 160,000 households and offset 2,400,000t of carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) annually.
Additionally, it is projected to reduce Abu Dhabi’s CO2 emissions by more than 2.4 million metric tonnes per year, equivalent to removing approximately 470,000 cars from the road.
The plant is expected to cost around $1,000 million and create 4,500 jobs during the construction phase.

6. Taweelah Reverse Osmosis Facility – 183 Million IG – Taweelah

Taweelah Reverse Osmosis Facility is a desalination plant located in Taweelah, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
It is one of the largest reverse osmosis desalination plants in the world.
The facility has a capacity to produce over 909,000 cubic meters of potable water per day, catering to the water needs of the region.
Commissioned in 2020, the plant utilizes advanced reverse osmosis technology to convert seawater into high-quality drinking water, helping to address water scarcity challenges in the area.
Owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Power Corporation, the Taweelah Reverse Osmosis Facility plays a crucial role in ensuring water security and sustainability in the UAE.

7. Al Reyadah CCUS Process – 800,000 Tonne Of CO2 – Al Reyadah

The lead nominator of the project is the United Arab Emirates.
Other countries such as Australia, Canada, China, Netherlands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Kingdom, and United States have also participated as additional nominators in the project.
This integrated commercial-scale project is located in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
It involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the flue gas of an Emirates Steel production facility and injecting the CO2 for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s nearby oil fields.
The primary objectives include reducing the carbon footprint of the United Arab Emirates, implementing EOR in subsurface oil reservoirs, and freeing up natural gas intended for oil field pressure maintenance.
The Al Reyadah Project encompasses capture, transport, and injection of up to 800,000 tonnes per year of CO2, processed at required specifications and pressure.
It is a part of an overall master plan that could establish a CO2 network and hub for managing future CO2 supply and injection requirements in the United Arab Emirates.

8. Habshan CCUS Process – 1.5 Million Tons Of CO2 – Habshan

The Habshan Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) project ranks among the largest carbon capture initiatives in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with a capacity to capture and store 1.5 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually within geological structures located deep underground.
Capture: CO2 separation from industrial emissions or directly from the atmosphere at major facilities like steel mills, cement plants, and power plants.
Compress: Once captured, CO2 undergoes compression to facilitate transport.
Transport: Compressed CO2 is transported via pipelines away from the source facility.
Store: Deep underground storage beneath impermeable rock layers to prevent CO2 release into the atmosphere or seafloor.

9. Street Lighting PPP – 1.8 Billion kW – Various Cities

The PPP forms a pivotal component of the Abu Dhabi Road Lighting Programme.
It aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and illuminating Abu Dhabi City with modern LED technology.
Phase 2 of the Road Lighting LED project encompasses the comprehensive provision of 133,473 LED luminaires across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, highlighting a substantial commitment to sustainable infrastructure development.
Under the DBFOM framework, the project entails financing, supplying, installing, operating, and maintaining the LED luminaires, ensuring a seamless transition to energy-efficient street lighting solutions.
With a 12-year concession period, the PPP fosters long-term collaboration between public and private sectors, facilitating ongoing innovation, maintenance, and optimization of the lighting infrastructure to meet evolving city needs.

10. Themar Al Emarat Microgrid Project – 250 kW Storage – Themar Al Emarat

Themar Al Emarat’s hydroponic project in the UAE utilizes a cutting-edge microgrid system for power supply, enabling farming operations even in remote areas lacking traditional grid infrastructure.
A microgrid functions as an independent energy entity, allowing seamless integration with the main grid or autonomous operation in island mode, enhancing reliability and resilience during grid disruptions.
Complementing its hydroponic initiative, Themar Al Emarat boasts a 250kW lithium-ion battery energy storage project, further enhancing energy efficiency and stability within its operations.
Through innovative energy solutions like microgrids and battery storage, Themar Al Emarat showcases a commitment to sustainable agriculture and energy management, aligning with global efforts towards environmental stewardship and resource efficiency.

11. Hydrogen Pilot Site – 0.7 Metric Ton of Hydrogen – Masdar City

In November 2023, ADNOC launched “H2GO,” the UAE’s inaugural high-speed green hydrogen pilot refueling station, located in Masdar City, marking a significant step towards sustainable transportation.
Operated by ADNOC Distribution, “H2GO” aims to facilitate the testing of zero-emission hydrogen-powered vehicles, contributing to the exploration of alternative fuel options in the region.
The inauguration of “H2GO” on November 24 signifies ADNOC’s commitment to pioneering environmentally-friendly initiatives, fostering research into hydrogen vehicle technology, and assessing its feasibility in the UAE’s transportation landscape.
This strategic move not only showcases ADNOC’s dedication to sustainability but also underscores Masdar City’s position as a global hub for innovation in renewable energy and clean transportation solutions.

12. Large Green Hydrogen Projects – 300,000 Tonnes – Khalifa Economic Zones

Sahara Wind Project: Utilizes North Africa’s wind energy for green hydrogen production.
Nordic Hydrogen Hub: Harnesses Nordic hydropower to generate green hydrogen.
Australian Hydrogen Superhub: Relies on solar energy in Australia for large-scale hydrogen production.
Amazon Rainforest Hydrogen Initiative: Uses renewable resources in the Amazon for hydrogen generation.
European Offshore Wind Hydrogen Project: Converts offshore wind energy into green hydrogen.
Gulf Hydrogen Alliance: Gulf countries collaborate on hydrogen production from solar power.

Renewable Energy and Sustainability Initiatives

The UAE leads the charge in integrating renewable energy within the heart of the hydrocarbon industry. These initiatives achieving a remarkable milestone of solar energy at just 1.35 cents per kilowatt-hour after over 15 years of dedicated research and policy development, backed by the establishment of three of the world’s largest solar plants and a rapid expansion plan for further deployment. Here is a glance of the major initiatives in the UAE as mentioned below.

Noor Abu Dhabi solar park: Reduces UAE’s carbon footprint by 1 million metric tons yearly, equivalent to removing 200,000 cars from roads.
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park: Spread across 4,000 acres, it’ll power 800,000 homes in Dubai by 2030, the largest in the Middle East.
Masdar’s Contribution: Abu Dhabi invested over $20 billion through Masdar, expanding UAE’s renewable energy by 400% in a decade, focusing on various renewable energy technologies.
Energy Efficiency Initiatives: Emirates Green Building Council initiated the Energy Efficiency Program in 2013, focusing on retrofitting inefficient buildings to reduce carbon footprint.
Dubai’s Smart City Strategy: Implementing a comprehensive strategy covering 1,000 government services and development in six key areas, aiming for optimized energy usage and smarter infrastructure.
Green Building Regulations: Enforced by Dubai Government since 2011, mandatory for all new constructions to reduce energy consumption and improve public health.
Estidama Initiative: Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council’s initiative focuses on constructing and operating sustainable buildings and communities, assessed through the Pearl Building Rating System.
Waste-to-Energy Plant: Under development in Abu Dhabi, it will utilize organic waste to power 20,000 households, contributing to renewable energy goals.

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FAQs on Renewable Energy Initiatives in the UAE

What are the initiatives taken by UAE towards clean energy?

The UAE Energy Strategy 2050 targets an energy mix that combines renewable, nuclear and clean energy sources to meet the UAE’s economic requirements and environmental goals as follows: 44 percent clean energy. 38 percent gas. 12 percent clean coal.

What are the government initiatives for renewable energy?

The Phase-I of the Programme has been approved with a budget outlay of Rs. 858 crore. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India has notified the National Bioenergy Programme on November 2, 2022. MNRE has continued the National Bioenergy Programme for the period from FY 2021-22 to 2025-26.

What is the green energy strategy in Dubai?

Dubai Clean Energy Strategy aims to produce 75 per cent of its energy requirements from clean sources by 2050. The strategy also aims to make Dubai a global centre of clean energy and green economy.

What are the sustainable efforts in UAE?

Implementation of the strategy is supported by five main enablers. The programs include Green Building Regulations, Building Retrofits, Energy Management, Efficient Appliances, Efficient Street Lighting, Water Reuse and Efficient Irrigation, Solar Programs, Energy from Waste and Efficient Vehicles.

What is the Green Economy Initiative UAE?

The Green Economy initiative aims to achieve economic development while nurturing and protecting the environment. It focuses on legislation, policies, programmes and projects.

What are the sustainable initiatives in Dubai?

Key projects include the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, an ambitious endeavor aiming to generate 5,000 MW of clean energy by 2030, and the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which seeks to achieve 75% of the city’s energy from clean sources by 2050.

What is UAE doing for environmental sustainability?

Environmental protection is considered the main objective of the UAE’s developmental policies aimed at increasing green areas, developing water resources, improving marine environment and protecting it from pollution, preserving fisheries and livestock, developing strategies to protect biodiversity.

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