The United Arab Emirates: A Leader in Renewable Energy and Green Technology

Dubaï

Long associated with oil and gas, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is reinventing itself as a pioneer of the energy transition. With massive investments in renewable energy and green technologies, the country aims to become a model of sustainability in a region still heavily dependent on hydrocarbons.

From Oil to Solar: A Strategic Vision

While the UAE remains a major player in fossil fuels, its leaders understood early on the need to diversify the economy. In 2006, the launch of Masdar — Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company — marked a turning point. The goal was clear: reduce dependence on oil revenues and prepare for a low-carbon future.

Today, solar and wind projects are multiplying both within the country and abroad. The UAE Energy Strategy 2050 aims for 50% of the nation’s energy production to come from clean sources by 2050, while reducing carbon emissions by 70%. A symbol of this transformation, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park — located 50 km from Dubai — has become the largest single-site solar project in the world. Inaugurated in 2013, it is expected to reach a capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030, enough to power more than one million homes.

The park combines several cutting-edge technologies: photovoltaic power plants, concentrated solar power (CSP) systems with thermal storage, and hybrid solutions capable of generating electricity even after sunset.

Thanks to these innovations, the cost of solar electricity has dropped to record lows, making the UAE a global testing ground for competitive solar energy.

Beyond its borders, the UAE is exporting its expertise. Masdar has become one of the world’s largest investors in renewable energy, with projects in more than 40 countries — from Jordan to the United Kingdom, and from the Seychelles to Australia.

Masdar City, an experimental urban hub near Abu Dhabi, embodies this vision. Designed as a technological showcase, it integrates energy-efficient buildings, electric mobility, and smart systems for managing water and waste.

Green Hydrogen: The New Frontier

The UAE is also betting on green hydrogen as the fuel of the future. Leveraging its exceptional solar resources, the country aims to produce hydrogen from solar-generated electricity for use in transportation, heavy industry, and even export. Several partnerships have already been signed with Germany, Japan, and other European countries.

The UAE’s leadership has also been affirmed on the international stage. Hosting COP28 in Dubai in 2023 highlighted its role as a mediator between oil-producing nations and advocates of rapid transition. Although this position has sometimes drawn criticism for its contradictions, it underscores the Emirates’ determination to be at the center of global discussions about the future of energy.

Despite these advances, challenges remain. The country continues to invest in oil and gas, and its per-capita energy consumption remains among the highest in the world. Nevertheless, the ongoing projects reflect an irreversible momentum: the UAE aims to become a global leader in green innovation, combining economic development with environmental sustainability.

Caroline Haïat