UAE’s renewable energy capacity expands 63-fold over past decade

The UAE’s renewable energy capacity has grown more than 63-fold over the past decade, rising from 129 megawatts in 2015 to more than 8.2 gigawatts in 2025, according to Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure

In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Olama said the UAE had made significant progress across the energy sector, including expanding clean energy, developing the national electricity system, strengthening grid interconnection and deploying modern technologies and data to manage the grid and enhance its readiness.

He said the progress reflected a clear national vision aimed at building a secure and sustainable energy system capable of meeting future demand, through cooperation between federal and local entities, national companies and the private sector.

Al Olama added that clean energy accounted for 32.4 per cent of electricity generation in 2025, with the UAE targeting a 35 per cent share by 2031.

Electricity generated from clean energy sources exceeded 62.4 gigawatt-hours in 2025, while installed clean energy capacity reached 13,805 megawatts, spanning nuclear power, photovoltaic and concentrated solar power, wind energy and waste-to-energy. Total electricity generation in the UAE reached 192,735 gigawatt-hours in 2025, compared with consumption of 174,524 gigawatt-hours.

Al Olama said the figures reflected continued progress in diversifying the energy mix and improving the readiness of the national electricity grid. The ministry is working with its partners to develop the electricity market, strengthen grid interconnection projects, expand clean energy and deploy modern technologies for grid monitoring and resource management.

He pointed to the launch of Emirates Monitoring Centre, the first national facility of its kind to provide real-time monitoring of the UAE’s integrated power network by linking all four electricity utilities. A study to develop a renewable energy management programme was also prepared and implemented in cooperation with Siemens as part of the centre’s second phase, supporting grid monitoring and coordination among entities involved in the national electricity system.

Al Olama said energy-related transformational projects included initiatives to recycle electric and hybrid vehicle batteries and promote green industrial transformation, as well as two studies and two pilot projects aimed at developing clean-energy solutions, improving resource efficiency and supporting the expansion of electric transport.

He said national energy projects and policies had won local and international awards in clean energy, sustainability and electricity markets.

Al Olama said the ministry would continue working with its partners to develop the national energy system and improve its efficiency and readiness, supporting energy security and enabling the sector to keep pace with economic and population growth while advancing national clean-energy, sustainability and climate-neutrality targets.

Meanwhile in May Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), has said that the UAE has become an important global actor in advancing renewable energy and international energy cooperation. This has been achieved through major investments in solar, storage technologies and energy infrastructure, the UAE has shown that energy-producing nations can help advance the energy transition globally.

In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), La Camera said that as host country of IRENA, the UAE has consistently supported international dialogue and collaboration on renewable energy. “It has also helped mobilise financing and partnerships for clean energy deployment in emerging and developing economies. Importantly, the UAE has helped shift the global debate from whether renewables can scale, to how quickly countries can accelerate deployment.”

Domestically, he added, the UAE continues to expand renewable energy capacity while investing in areas such as green hydrogen and low-carbon industry. “Best example is the Al Dhafra Round-The-Clock project by Masdar in Abu Dhabi that combines solar with a massive amount of battery capacity.

“This 24/7 renewable project is a global blueprint for the continuous and reliable supply of renewable energy,” he noted.

La Camera has said that the 31st Council meeting of IRENA highlighted that the global energy transition is entering a new phase of the global energy transition with strategic priorities of member states focusing on energy security and economic competitiveness.

“Member countries reaffirmed the need to accelerate renewable energy deployment while investing in grids, storage and infrastructure to meet rising electricity demand reliably and affordably. Discussions also focused on practical pathways to electrify end-use sectors across power, transport, industry and digitalisation,” he explained.

WAM