UAE targets 35% clean energy by 2031: Minister

Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure

Minister of Energy Suhail Al Mazrouei said the UAE aims to raise clean energy to about 35% by 2031 as part of ongoing investments in clean and renewable energy projects. This aims to enhance energy security and the flexibility of the power grid.

 
Al Mazrouei explained in his keynote speech at the Middle East Energy Exhibition that the UAE is expanding its large-scale solar projects, noting the launch of a project featuring 5 GW of solar power supported by 19.5 GW in battery storage. This is to enable the supply of 1 GW of power around the clock without interruption, and at a cost competitive with natural gas.

He added that global demand for electricity, especially in the region, will continue to rise in the coming years, highlighting that the shift toward clean energy is driven by its economic viability and ability to compete with conventional power sources, Al-Bayan newspaper reported.
 
Al Mazrouei said current geopolitical developments have increased the importance of diversifying energy sources and boosting the resilience of the power system, from generation to distribution.

He indicated that countries which invested early in diversifying their energy mix and developing electricity networks are now reaping the benefits of those investments.
 
The minister called on companies and developers to focus on innovation to reduce losses in power transmission networks and improve system efficiency, noting that recovering wasted energy and utilizing it to provide electricity to consumers remains among the lowest-cost power sources.

He stressed the importance of expanding interconnection projects between countries and continents to leverage seasonal and pattern differences in electricity demand and boost network efficiency, urging investors to direct more capital toward such projects given their economic value.