The UAE is establishing itself as a driving force for the transition towards clean energy

The UAE has established its global position as a driving force for the transition towards clean energy, through its advanced projects that contribute to enhancing energy security, and inspire the world in innovation and sustainability on its journey to a more prosperous future.

The UAE celebrates World Clean Energy Day, which falls on January 26 of each year, and has made rapid strides in developing renewable and clean energy projects, becoming a model to be emulated at the global level in the transition towards sustainable and equitable energy for all.

On this occasion, Her Excellency Dr. Nawal Al Hosani, the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), confirmed in a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) the success of the UAE’s pioneering efforts in achieving an international consensus on the date of January 26 to be World Clean Energy Day, which coincides with On the anniversary of the founding of IRENA, with the aim of highlighting the importance of future energy, as it protects the planet’s environment and resources, stimulates sustainable development, creates job opportunities and strengthens business sectors.

She said that the UAE continues to enhance the global trend towards investing in more clean energy projects through its strategic partnerships, supportive platforms, and financing solutions for sustainable initiatives, especially in developing and climate-fragile societies.

She pointed out the importance of the role of clean energy in expanding the horizons of a green, circular and climate-resilient economy, and its contribution to achieving climate pledges such as those approved by the historic UAE agreement in “COP28”, and the pledge to triple renewable energy production and raise energy efficiency twice by 2030.

The UAE continues its march of achievements in the level of strategic projects in the field of clean energy, as the first weeks of this year witnessed the announcement of the launch of the largest and first project of its kind in the world that combines solar energy and energy storage batteries, which will provide renewable energy 24 hours a day and contribute to providing… About “1 gigawatt per day” of the base load of renewable energy, and includes a solar photovoltaic power plant with a capacity of 5 gigawatts (DC) and battery systems for energy storage with a capacity of 19 gigawatts per hour.

The UAE is preparing to enhance its clean energy production portfolio after the expected completion of the Ajban photovoltaic solar power station in the third quarter of next year 2026, as the station will contribute to the production of 1.5 gigawatts of electricity, reinforcing the goals of carbon neutrality with a reduction of more than 2.4 million tons annually of emissions. Carbon dioxide, becoming one of the largest independent solar photovoltaic power plants in the world.

The UAE currently owns three of the largest solar energy plants in the world, and aims to achieve a clean energy production capacity of 14.2 gigawatts by 2030, which confirms its commitment to achieving global ambitions and complying with the Paris Agreement, as it is the first country in the region to sign this agreement.

From the Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Energy Complex, which illuminates the future with sustainable solar energy, to the Barakah nuclear power plants, which chart the features of a new era of clean electricity, all the way to green hydrogen initiatives that anticipate the fuel of the future, the UAE continues to enhance its portfolio of the largest and most efficient projects in the world to chart Features of a sustainable future that combines innovation, environmental protection and communities.

The Barakah plants, which have produced nearly 88,000 gigawatt-hours of environmentally friendly electricity to date, play a crucial role in putting the UAE at the forefront of climate action leadership. Since their operation until now, the four stations have contributed to reducing carbon emissions amounting to more than 43 thousand kilotons of emissions.

The UAE has added more per capita clean electricity in the past six years than any other country, with 75% of this clean electricity coming from Barakah plants, and 40 terawatt-hours of clean electricity are produced annually at Barakah, equivalent to 25% of The UAE’s electricity needs, and 85% of clean electricity in Abu Dhabi.

It is noteworthy that this productivity is equivalent to the annual capacity of 45 huge data centers with a capacity of 100 megawatts and 16 million electric cars.

With the full operation of all plants, Emirates Nuclear Energy Company is exploring opportunities in advanced nuclear energy technologies such as mini-reactors, advanced reactors, and clean energy sources such as hydrogen, establishing a regional center and nuclear energy supply chain, in addition to investing in external nuclear projects, and strengthening partnerships.