The UAE has laid out a pathway to achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 and aims for a deeper reduction in emissions as it extensively invests in clean energy projects. In a recent development, it has announced two programs to increase local clean energy capacity and uptake and drive energy transition.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the initiatives are the UAE Geospatial Platform for Future Energy and the Potential for Renewable Energy Storage Uptake study.

The geospatial platform will update and analyze data on national clean energy projects to track and gauge the implementation of the UAE Energy Policy 2050.

According to the UAE Energy Strategy, by 2050, clean energy projects should account for 50% of all energy used in the nation.

The outcome of the platform’s data analysis, the ministry said, will guide future research and clean energy plans, including the revision of the UAE Energy Plan 2050, which is now under development.

“In 2021, our clean energy capacity accounted for 19.63% of the total energy mix, an impressive increase compared to 5.84% in 2019. We will continue to raise the bar high and set new goals for ourselves as we accelerate our path to net zero,” said Sharif Al Olama, undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.

The ministry and its key partners are working together to compile the Potential for Renewable Energy Storage Uptake study, which details the technical and financial possibilities of storage technologies in the UAE power system.

With an emphasis on technology, the market, research and development, and finance, the paper also examines how energy storage may accelerate the energy transition and encourage the usage of renewable energy in the nation.

“In a world pursuing net zero, power storage solutions are essential to enable energy transition and ensure a reliable energy supply when needed. The report will inform decision-makers in the ministry and the energy sector on the next steps to increase energy storage,” Al Olama said.