Introduction
In 2015, all countries that are part of the United Nations (UN) agreed to a program that targets to make the world more sustainable. In this context, the selected goal among the 17 listed by the UN is the affordable and clean energy agenda 2030. It aims to create an environment where everyone can access renewable, safe, and widely available energy sources, enabling people to work, live, and develop their society (Küfeoğlu, 2022). Due to the UAE’s rapid population growth, flourishing economy, and changing climate, there is an increasing demand for both water and electricity.
Therefore, the UN and affiliate states have committed to doubling the energy efficiency rate and securing worldwide access to affordable, dependable, and modern energy services. They would also like to expand infrastructure and upgrade technology to supply sustainable energy services everywhere (Küfeoğlu, 2022). The UAE has demonstrated its dedication to the course with its Green Economy Initiative, which aims to make the country a global leader in eco-friendly growth, products, and technologies while ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.
Summary of Main Goals
The UAE excels at regulation and political commitment and is a crucial enabler of the energy transformation. The country’s primary goals are to treble renewable energy capacity to 19.8 gigawatts (GW) and create 50,000 new green employment by 2030 (Godfrey, 2023). According to the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure claims, the UAE is committed to increasing the proportion of clean energy in the power mix to 30% by 2031 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050 (Godfrey, 2023).
In addition to aiming for 19.8 GW of renewable energy, the country wants to play a significant role in producing and supplying low-carbon hydrogen. For example, the nation strives to deliver 1.5 and 15 million metric tons of low-carbon hydrogen annually by 2031 and 2050, respectively (Godfrey, 2023). Accelerating the innovation and objective measures required to achieve a lower-carbon and higher-growth future for the globe is consistent with ADIPEC 2023’s theme of decarbonizing collectively and quickly.
The UAE’s renewable energy ambition is promising, as is the increased investment in solar power. By 2030, the country expects solar panels on every roof (Alhammami & An, 2020). The most considerable energy demand is buildings because they consume about 36% to 50% of consumable electricity (Santamouris & Vasilakopoulou, 2021).
Other investments in solar power projects, like the Al Dhafra, Shams, and MBR Solar Park, are all part of the vision to turn its energy sources into solar, wind, and biofuels. Additionally, the country has approved standards for sustainable buildings, which can effectively increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. The initiative will ensure that new buildings are energy-efficient and affordable to the people, as well as the realization of the more significant goals set by the UN.
UAE Achievements in the Goal
The UAE has set a global renewable energy benchmark with significant investment in alternative and sustainable electricity projects. For instance, the cost of producing solar power in Dubai is consistently one of the lowest in the world. More rooftop solar photovoltaic capacity is installed across the Emirates as part of the local and global strategic plan to go green.
Major projects like the 1177 MW Noor Abu Dhabi and 2 GW Al Dhafra solar photovoltaic plants show the achievement of its vision (Embassy of the UAE, n.d.). Dubai has the largest solar park and other major sustainable projects in the Middle East. The 4,000-acre Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai will generate enough energy to power 800,000 homes by 2030(Embassy of the UAE, n.d.). The investments strongly indicate the government’s dedication to realizing sustainability before 2030.
The UAE is diversifying its energy mix with substantial investments in solar, wind, biofuels, and civilian nuclear energy. It is the pioneer nation in the Middle East to utilize zero-carbon atomic power, which, combined with renewable energy sources, will give the UAE 14 GW of clean capacity by 2030 (Salimi et al., 2022). Projects like Noor Abu Dhabi will offset carbon emissions by 1 million tons to increase the country’s broader energy strategy (Embassy of the UAE, n.d.).
In addition to the solar projects, Dubai is implementing a “Smart City” strategy that lays out steps towards optimizing energy, more innovative transport, and recreational areas. All private sector developers must abide by the new building codes, which have reduced energy and resource consumption and improved public health and general welfare. Overall, the future of the UAE in sustainability is promising, given the significant investment in minimizing dependence on fossil fuels.
Future Plans
The UAE has pursued ambitious projects as part of its energy diversification strategy. With its large-scale solar photovoltaic and concentrated solar power projects, the country’s future energy is oriented toward solar and other renewable sources. The government announced the National Hydrogen Strategy 2050 in 2023, which supports the goal of achieving climate neutrality (World Economic Forum, 2023).
By 2031, it wants to be a more reliable source and manufacturer of low-carbon hydrogen (World Economic Forum, 2023). The plan entails developing supply chains, establishing hydrogen oases, and dedicated national research and development centers for hydrogen technologies. As a result, the UAE’s long-term objective is to develop a home market by enacting laws and policies that promote hydrogen as a fuel for the future.
The collaboration with U.S. partners to address climate change by focusing on alternative energy sources promises a bright future for the UAE. The partnership will catalyze funding to expand clean energy technologies and capture harmful emissions before they reach the atmosphere. The company has begun strategizing on its affordable and clean energy target, which will be achieved by 2050 with its new initiatives. For example, the goals for 2050 include 50% cleaner power, a 70% decrease in power sector emissions, and 40% improved energy efficiency (Al Naqbi et al., 2019).
Additionally, the country is the first in the Middle East to commit to decarbonization for Net Zero emissions by 2050 (Salimi et al., 2022). It includes tactics to increase consumption efficiency by 40% for individuals and businesses. The country’s energy mix targets are 44% clean energy, 38% gas, 12% clean coal, and 6% nuclear energy (Al Naqbi et al., 2019). The low-carbon initiatives and projects are broader strategies for becoming a leader in sustainable energy technologies and development.
Conclusion
The UAE is dedicated to the UN’s 2030 affordable and clean energy plan because of population increase and climate change. Thus, by 2030, it hopes to increase renewable energy capacity to 19.8 GW, generate 50,000 green jobs, raise the share of clean energy to 30% by 2031, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. By 2050, the UAE wants to have 50% cleaner electricity, 70% less emissions from the power industry, and 40% more energy efficiency. Additionally, to improve energy efficiency and lower carbon emissions, the nation has approved big solar projects, solar power installations on buildings, and green and sustainable building standards. With the dedication to developing a home market for sustainable fuels and hydrogen as fuel for the future, it has a bright future.
References
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Embassy of the UAE. (n.d.). UAE energy diversification | UAE embassy in Washington, DC. UAE Embassy. Web.
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