The United Arab Emirates is ramping up its clean energy initiatives, with ambitious targets for renewable energy adoption and green hydrogen production, as part of its updated energy strategy, a senior government official said.
Eng. Nawal Yousef Alhanaee, Director of the Future Energy Department at the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, told Arabian Business that the country aims to triple its renewable energy capacity by 2030.
“UAE hosts the three largest solar plant single sites, which includes Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park,” Alhanaee said, adding that additional projects are underway in Ajman and Al Khawaneej.
The push for clean energy comes almost a year after the UAE hosted the COP28 climate conference, putting increased focus on the country’s environmental policies.
UAE’s clean energy vision
The UAE launched its National Hydrogen Strategy 2050 last year with the aim to become a top global hydrogen producer by 2031. The Gulf country plans to use its natural resources and energy infrastructure to build a hydrogen value chain, focusing on domestic demand and exports. By 2050, the UAE forecasts its hydrogen sectoral demand could grow fivefold to around 10.1 million tonnes per annum, supporting the country’s broader clean energy and net-zero emissions targets.
“We are trying our best, and our national champions have already put in the pipeline projects to make sure that we achieve 1.4 million tonnes per annum by 2031,” Alhanaee stated. In doing this, the UAE’s National Hydrogen Strategy aims to be among the top 10 producers of green hydrogen globally within the next seven years.
This target also aligns with the UAE’s Vision 2031, a broader national development strategy. However, Alhanaee highlighted that success in the green hydrogen sector requires international collaboration.
“It is very important to understand that this is an international collaboration effort. It is not a single country working by itself,” she said, adding that the UAE is working with other countries in various international forums to balance production and demand.
The UAE has already taken steps towards hydrogen adoption, with a demonstration project at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. This project is currently fueling a hydrogen station established by ENOC (Emirates National Oil Company), supporting the use of hydrogen in fuel cells and vehicles.
While the primary production target is set for 2031, Alhanaee didn’t rule out earlier widespread adoption. “If we have off-takers, our plan is still 2031 to start the production, and if we have a good deal, why not?”
In urban development, the ministry is focusing on distributed solar units, particularly rooftop photovoltaic systems. “The ministry has worked on a law for these rooftop renewable energy units to be integrated within the system. We are currently working on the scheme for how to connect those,” Alhanaee explained.
The UAE’s push for clean energy is part of a broader regional trend, with several Gulf countries investing heavily in renewable energy projects as they seek to diversify their economies away from oil dependence.
As the UAE continues to develop its energy sector, Alhanaee emphasised the importance of engaging young women in STEM fields, her comments coming almost a week after the celebration of Emirati Women’s Day.
“It is very important to be passionate, be curious all the time,” she said, highlighting the opportunities provided by the UAE’s leadership for women in the sector.
Alhanaee’s comments came on the sidelines of the Emirati Women Achievers event in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, which brought together successful Emirati women from across sectors to celebrate 32 trailblazers and launch the IMPACT Hub for long-term support of women’s contributions to the UAE’s economic and social goals.
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