The Middle East, traditionally reliant on oil wealth, is emerging as a leader in renewable energy, with countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE spearheading ambitious solar projects to diversify their energy portfolios.

Egypt’s Benban Solar Park, spanning 37 square kilometers and housing 41 solar power plants, is one of the largest solar photovoltaic parks globally, with a capacity of 1,800 megawatts and a $4 billion valuation.

The UAE hosts the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and is constructing the Al Dhafra Solar PV Plant, which will become the world’s largest solar power plant with a capacity of 2 GW.

Government incentives, such as Egypt’s Renewable Energy Feed Tariff (FiT) program and Jordan’s financial facilities for solar investors, are driving renewable energy adoption across the region.

Arab nations are projected to invest $1 trillion in renewable energy projects by 2040, aligning with global goals to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Despite the region’s high solar energy potential, with annual solar radiation exceeding 2,000 kilowatt-hours per square meter in countries like Saudi Arabia and Morocco, solar energy currently accounts for just over 2% of the energy mix.

Challenges persist in meeting COP28 goals, particularly in the Gulf region, where public utility projects dominate, potentially sidelining commercial and industrial sectors.

Renewable energy growth is expected to accelerate, with electricity generation from renewables projected to increase six-fold in the next decade, driven primarily by solar photovoltaic energy.

The economic impact of renewable energy is significant, with green hydrogen projects in the Middle East anticipated to generate $200 billion in export revenues by 2050 for Gulf countries.

International cooperation, such as the proposed China-Arab Clean Energy Cooperation Center, is fostering collaboration on renewable energy and climate change initiatives.

The Middle East, traditionally reliant on oil wealth, is emerging as a leader in renewable energy, with countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE spearheading ambitious solar projects to diversify their energy portfolios.

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Content: Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
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Economy: Benban and the Gulf of Suez are among the largest renewable energy projects
Economic Middle East magazine, which specializes in economics and energy, said that the Benban solar park and the Gulf of Suez wind project in Egypt are considered among the largest renewable energy projects in the Middle East.
Renewable Energy Projects in the Middle East
The Middle East has long relied on oil and gas, not only for revenue but also for power generation, but in the past years, the region has positioned itself as a leader in the renewable energy sector, boasting numerous renewable energy projects.
From 2023 to 2028, Mordor Intelligence expects the renewable energy market in the Middle East to grow by 13.43% annually.
The Arab Clean Energy Initiative was launched by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and during the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit of 2013, the League of Arab States adopted the initiative, with leaders pledging to increase renewable energy generation capacity in the region from 12 GW in 2013 to 80 GW by 2030.
Benban Solar Park
Located in Aswan, Egypt with a capacity of 1,800 megawatts, Benban Solar Park is valued at $4 billion and includes 41 solar power plants, one of the largest solar PV parks in the world, spanning 37 square kilometers and containing 7 million photovoltaic panels, this initiative is a component of Egypt ’ s Renewable Energy Feed Tariff (FiT) program, which was unveiled in September 2014.
Gulf of Suez Wind Power Project
In November last year, ACWA Power and the Sovereign Fund of Egypt (TSFE) signed a memorandum of understanding, and together they will invest in a 1100 MW wind power project in Jebel Zeit and the Gulf of Suez. The project is one of the largest onshore wind farms in the world, and aims to provide power to more than one million households and reduce annual CO2 emissions by 2.4 million tons.

Egypt’s Benban Solar Park, spanning 37 square kilometers and housing 41 solar power plants, is one of the largest solar photovoltaic parks globally, with a capacity of 1,800 megawatts and a $4 billion valuation.

The UAE hosts the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and is constructing the Al Dhafra Solar PV Plant, which will become the world’s largest solar power plant with a capacity of 2 GW.

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Content: New technologies to achieve sustainability goals and address climate change
Science and Technology
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Existing renewable energy initiatives in the Middle East are strengthening their role in supporting international efforts to address climate change.
In particular, the region is one of the largest contributors to the oil and gas sector globally, and at the same time is the cradle of a number of major and ambitious initiatives and projects aimed at enhancing the reliance on clean energy.
In the UAE, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the world ’ s largest IPP solar site, and the Al Dhafra Solar PV Plant is being built as the world ’ s largest solar power plant with a capacity of 2 GW.
Masdar City is the most sustainable urban community in the world.
ADFD is committed to funding innovative projects to accelerate access to sustainable energy as part of a joint initiative with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
In Saudi Arabia, Neom recently launched The Line, the world ’ s first car-free, carbon-free city with 100% renewable energy.
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) leads green energy projects designed to manage the recycling of grey water for reuse for plant irrigation and other purposes, and also has large area photovoltaic panels that produce clean electricity.
In Egypt, hydropower is the second source of energy after thermal, wind and solar, and the country has developed a number of future projects that seek to exploit solar energy and replace non-renewable energy.
Other green projects in Egypt include the cities of Jebel Galala and El Alamein.
The Bahrain World Trade Centre is one of the world ’ s leading examples of sustainable architecture, taking the lead in being the first skyscraper in the world to introduce wind turbines to provide total energy consumption.
Morocco, famous for its huge and world-leading solar arrays, has made a big name for itself as a leader in the fight against climate change, renewable energy makes up nearly two-fifths of the country ’ s electricity, and the country implements some of the world ’ s largest clean energy projects.
Since 2012, Jordan has turned to solar power to generate electricity and government policies have pushed citizens and investors to turn to renewable energy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, by offering financial facilities to investors and reducing the electricity bill.
Sustainability initiatives in the Arab countries contribute effectively to building a diversified digital economy that achieves the national visions of these countries, and the green economy initiative launched by the UAE, and the Saudi Green Initiative is a good example of this.
Today, the ICT sector is increasingly playing a role in achieving sustainability through new technologies such as 5G, cloud computing and artificial intelligence that will play a key role in implementing clean energy initiatives as they enhance productivity, improve efficiency, reduce costs and waste, evaluate business systems, analyze waste, track problems and develop solutions.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) says ICT will contribute to achieving the UN ’ s Sustainable Development Goals and improving the quality of life.
According to the United Nations, ICT can be relied upon in two ways: reliance on clean information and communication technology, and clean energy generation based on information and communication technology.
In the first scenario, ICT solutions that contribute to environmental safety and carbon reduction are designed.
In the second scenario, ICT solutions such as those in grids, buildings, smart logistics and industrial processes help promote sustainability and energy efficiency.
The sustainability efforts of tech companies have been recognized globally, Huawei is an example of companies that have adjusted their business in line with sustainability goals, and recently received an award from the International Mobile Phone Association for their contributions to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through mobile devices.
The company aims to rely on innovative technologies to drive clean development across various sectors and industries, and in 2021 it used more than 300 million kWh of electricity produced from renewable sources, an increase of 42.3% compared to 2020.
Huawei ’ s digital power solutions have generated 482.9 billion kilowatt-hours of clean energy and reduced electricity consumption by 14.2 billion kilowatt-hours, equivalent to 230 million tons of carbon emissions.
In parallel with efforts to promote a sustainable approach to technology, the ICT industry must not lose sight of the issue of enhanced security.
Technology providers should focus on protecting user privacy when working to provide modern, seamless technology and communications.
Certainly, we will not be able to grow the business and ensure its sustainability if we do not provide safe and reliable technologies to protect cybersecurity, which is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders involved in sustainability.
The current digital divide could isolate millions of people around the world from contributing to the development of a clean economy.
Tech companies can contribute to making technology accessible to all thanks to their technical capabilities and resources.
Through initiatives such as TECH4ALL, Huawei has relied on digital technologies to implement programs aimed at enhancing the leadership capabilities of more than 110,000 people in 2021.
The digital divide in global talent could undermine sustainability efforts, so greater emphasis should be placed on redressing it and priority should be given to strengthening collaboration between tech companies, academia and government institutions in order to bridge the digital skills gap.
By investing in programs to prepare local technical cadres, hone skills and enhance practical experience, more bridges of cooperation between the public and private sectors can be built to prepare the future generation of sustainability leaders with the help of technology.
Huawei has established 163 ICT academies in the Middle East.
More than 3,500 students participated in the Seeds for the Global Future program, while more than 37,000 students received Huawei certifications.
The company has also provided training to more than 120,000 ICT talents in the region who are expected to contribute to the advancement of sustainability in the countries of the region by making the most of technology.
In light of the increasing challenges of reducing carbon emissions facing various countries around the world, we all have a responsibility to strengthen cooperation and work together to build a sustainable and prosperous future for future generations.
By: Ammar Taba, Huawei Vice President for Public Relations and Media in the Middle East
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Government incentives, such as Egypt’s Renewable Energy Feed Tariff (FiT) program and Jordan’s financial facilities for solar investors, are driving renewable energy adoption across the region.

Arab nations are projected to invest $1 trillion in renewable energy projects by 2040, aligning with global goals to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030.

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Content: Sunday, 24 September 2023 02: 03 GMT
2030 Arab Goal to Advance Renewable Energy Capabilities Globally
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Several Arab countries are accelerating to keep pace with the international aspiration to achieve the goal of tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030, which is receiving widespread attention, amid various plans and strategies at national levels in many countries.
The Arab countries that are likely to play the largest role in this regard, according to industry experts, are the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, Algeria and Morocco, by injecting more investments into this vital and promising sector.
During the recent G20 summit in New Delhi in September, G20 leaders expressed their support for all efforts to increase renewable energy capacity and pledged to accelerate measures to address environmental crises and challenges.
With this growing international interest in the energy transition, the plans are facing many challenges, including (but not limited to) access to finance, especially for low- and middle-income countries, with significant investment required over the coming years.
(Al-Bayan), a group of American academics and specialists in the renewable energy sector were surveyed about the main opportunities and challenges on the way to increase the desired capacity, the investments required to achieve that goal, and the extent of its expected environmental and economic repercussions.
Huge spikes.
Achieving the ambitious goal of doubling global renewable energy capacity in the near term will be reflected concretely in several contexts, explains Gregory Nemet, a specialist in the analysis of international energy systems and environmental policies at the University of Wisconsin. By 2030, it will deliver significant benefits in terms of jobs, economic development, and improved air quality, as well as putting the world on the path to addressing climate change in the long term.
“The costs of renewable energy, especially solar and wind, have dropped dramatically over the last 10 years, and most experts expect them to continue to fall, ” says Nemet, explaining that a clean, affordable source of energy creates huge opportunities, allowing global renewable energy capacity to be tripled by taking full advantage of it.
According to Nemet, the 3-fold increase also presents challenges, such as “access to finance for low- and middle-income countries, and investments in electricity grids to accommodate this growth ”, stressing that“ challenges can be overcome through sustained efforts and supportive policies, as we have seen many examples in the recent past. ” A sign of broad international cooperation is required in this regard.
Last year, renewable energy capacity (globally) increased by 9.6 percent to 3,372 gigawatts, an increase of a record 295 gigawatts, despite global uncertainty in light of geopolitical developments and the Ukrainian war, according to data published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) on March 22.
Almost half of the new capacity from renewable energy in Asia has been added, with China contributing more than 141 gigawatts to the new capacity of the entire continent.
Renewable energy sources in Europe and the United States grew by 57.3 gigawatts and 29.1 gigawatts respectively.
African capacity increased slightly by 2.7 gigawatts.
According to IRENA data, although hydropower accounts for the largest share of total global renewable energy capacity at 1,250 gigawatts, solar and wind power continue to dominate new capacity, contributing 90% of total capacity last year.
Solar capacity came first with an increase of 22%, followed by wind power with an increase of 9%.
Policies and Incentives
University of Massachusetts academic David Turcotte, whose research interests include climate change and environmental justice, believes that there are many opportunities in the context of increasing global renewable energy capacity, due to increases in oil prices as a result of the Ukrainian crisis, which makes renewable energy sources more cost-effective, as well as worsening economic and human costs. Recurrent, more severe climate change disasters.
“Many developed countries have expanded policies and incentives to encourage increased capacity to produce renewable energy.
However, we still face a lot of challenges […]
That threatens to derail efforts to increase renewable energy capacity, and the transition to a clean energy economy.
Among these challenges is the lack of adequate funding to support increases in renewable energy capacity in developing countries, a challenge he described as “serious. ”
While international efforts are accelerating to target investments in the context of increasing global renewable energy capacity, those investments are still below the 1.5 ° C target.
This is shown by data from IRENA and the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) released in February, which estimate the total volume of investments in renewable energy sectors during 2022 at $499 billion, up from $430 billion in the previous year 2021.
Developments in the world over the past year, especially with the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, have also encouraged many countries to move more towards renewable energy sources, to overcome the energy crisis caused by the consequences of the war, in the interest of the desired goal of increasing capacity.
Required investments
John Hall, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Center for Energy Production and Infrastructure, University of North Carolina, United States, notes that “the goal of tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030 is a challenge, and achieving the goal requires an intensive global strategy, focused on significant financial investment, technological innovation targeting these communities, inclusive policies, and collaborative efforts. ”
Speaking with Al-Bayan, he stressed that community participation and infrastructure development in underserved areas should be central to the strategy, leading not only to the promotion of the energy transition, but also to economic upgrading.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that $4 trillion per year will be required in the clean energy sector until 2030 to strengthen global capacity in this regard.
Logistical challenges
Warren Mabey, an academic at Queen ’ s University who specialises in energy policy and natural resource management, told Al Bayan that “it is technically possible to triple global renewable energy capacity over the next six years, and this will put enormous pressure on the global supply chains that support the sector. and manufactured goods, necessary for the transformation process).
Mabe believes that “the cost will be enormous, and the logistical challenge may be too great to overcome ”, stressing the need for“ strong and consistent leadership from countries around the world to achieve this. ”
Arabic Steps
At the Arab level, five Arab countries (Egypt, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) are expected to account for about 72% of the region ’ s total growth in renewable energy, according to the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), which expects renewable energy capacity to reach 45 gigawatts by 2027, an increase of 3 times. Compared to the last five years.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that in 2022, the Middle East saw the highest increase in renewables ever, with 3.2 gigawatts of new capacity added last year, a 12.8 percent increase over the previous year.
According to the Arab Renewable Energy Authority (AREA), the volume of investments by Arab countries in renewable energy projects is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2040, in light of the interest of Arab governments in this file, to achieve global environmental goals.
A Great Leap in 10 Years
According to the current data, the renewable energy sector in the region is expected to witness a huge leap in the next 10 years, at a time when eight Arab countries are leading this trend, according to the researcher in international relations and political economy, Abu Bakr al-Deeb, adviser to the Arab Center for Studies and Research, who tells Al-Bayan that the countries strongly candidate to move in this direction are:, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, Algeria and Morocco).
Aldeeb also cites the volume of electricity generated from renewable sources in the Middle East and Arab countries, which is expected to increase six-fold in 10 years through heavy reliance on solar photovoltaic energy, noting that the Arab region has “great potential ” to help launch major projects to produce energy from the sun. And wind, among these possibilities or advantages (the right climate, the bright sun most days of the year, as well as human expertise, and financial capabilities also for some countries).
The UAE is at the top of the list of Arab countries that produce electricity from solar energy, while Egypt is the largest country in the Arab world in terms of electricity production from wind energy, according to a report issued by (Global Energy Monitor), which Al-Deeb cites when explaining the progress made by some Arab countries in this sector, The UAE, Egypt, Jordan and Morocco are among the first Arab countries to establish solar and wind power plants.
According to the report, renewable power plant projects for Arab countries are likely to achieve 92% of the region ’ s total target by 2030 when completed.
One of the most reliable projects in this regard is the Green Hydrogen projects, through which the Middle East is seeking global leadership, with export revenues likely to reach $200 billion by 2050 for the Gulf countries, according to a study by Dii Desert Energy.
In this context, Al-Deeb notes the abundance of renewable energy resources, clean hydrogen, human expertise, capital, and their geographical proximity to the European market, all of which provide them with important and growing opportunities.
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Despite the region’s high solar energy potential, with annual solar radiation exceeding 2,000 kilowatt-hours per square meter in countries like Saudi Arabia and Morocco, solar energy currently accounts for just over 2% of the energy mix.

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World Future Energy Summit.
Green finance and climate change lead day 2
The second day of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in the UAE, kicked off today.
The summit is the premier annual forum for future energy and sustainability.
The day ’ s events focused on green finance, with Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, stressing the urgency of correcting climate change and thinking outside the box, and providing inspiring views on the obstacles to investing in renewable energy and ways to develop it during a session entitled “Financing Global Approaches to Low-Carbon Economies ”.
“It takes a lot of in-depth social studies, practical solutions and a lot of financial support – governments around the world spend a lot of money to defend themselves against other governments, but we don ’ t spend that much money to fight everyone ’ s first enemy, climate change.
He believes that finding practical solutions requires a serious approach to financing and establishing an assembly line for simple renewable energy projects, so that tangible results can be achieved as soon as possible, which is not possible without setting aside the side issues that usually concern us or we will not be able to solve the problem for another 10 years.
Ahmed Bahieldin, General Manager and Commercial Officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at GE Vernova, an independent public company spin-off of GE ’ s energy, wind and electricity business, also joined the panel.
“Time is an important factor, especially as there is a lot of capital looking for projects in advanced markets, especially in the areas of renewable energy sources and new technologies, and regulatory reforms and the structuring of the revenue model give more room for growth.
The second day of the summit also saw the launch of the Solar Outlook 2024 report, officially released by the Middle East Solar Industry Association at the World Future Energy Summit.
The report highlights the growing contribution of solar energy to the MENA region ’ s ongoing energy transition from traditional fossil fuels to renewables, amid continued manufacturing boom, population and economic growth, as well as concerns about climate change and environmental sustainability.
Solar Energy
According to the report, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region today has one of the highest levels of solar energy potential in the world, with countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Egypt contributing on average annual solar radiation exceeding 2,000 kilowatt-hours per square meter per year.
While the regional solar growth trajectory is expected to continue, the report reveals that it is still well below the levels required to replace the current fossil fuel contribution of 87%, with solar providing just over 2% of the current energy mix in the MENA region.
Denisa Vines, Secretary General of the Middle East Solar Industry Association, said: “The COP28 pledge to increase renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency with the support of 124 countries has set ambitious targets to increase the deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures by 2030, but we still face many challenges to achieve these goals, especially in the energy sector within the Gulf region. After 2030, a variety of technologies are expected to be market-ready, offering scalable solutions to decarbonize the energy sector, enabling a more effective role for renewables, energy efficiency and zero-emission technologies.
The broad pursuit of ambitious targets by 2030 is focused on public utility projects, which may overshadow the needs of the commercial and industrial sectors, and this underscores the importance of considering a balanced approach to energy deployment to ensure inclusive and sustainable development.
COP28 Pledges
Speaking at the Solar and Clean Energy Conference, Dr. Ralph Blumenthal, Head of Networks Programs Middle East at Siemens, praised the ongoing discussions on digitization and the great importance of integrating renewables into smart grids to help achieve the goals of the COP28 pledge.
Batteries are key if we want to triple renewables by 2030, and increase them nine-fold by 2050. Batteries are not only storage, they are essential to grid regulation and reduce disruptions that may occur during renewable energy generation. Today, around 1,500 GW of renewable energy has been installed globally and is ready for deployment, but cannot be integrated into networks. It operates 100% on renewable energy, but national grids have not yet been able to effectively integrate renewables on a large scale.
Constructive discussions and sessions on global energy issues and solutions will continue tomorrow with the Electric Mobility Forum, which will comprehensively examine the role of clean and independent transport in changing the future of city design, and what is needed to unlock the potential of investing in expanding electric mobility.

Challenges persist in meeting COP28 goals, particularly in the Gulf region, where public utility projects dominate, potentially sidelining commercial and industrial sectors.

Renewable energy growth is expected to accelerate, with electricity generation from renewables projected to increase six-fold in the next decade, driven primarily by solar photovoltaic energy.

The economic impact of renewable energy is significant, with green hydrogen projects in the Middle East anticipated to generate $200 billion in export revenues by 2050 for Gulf countries.

International cooperation, such as the proposed China-Arab Clean Energy Cooperation Center, is fostering collaboration on renewable energy and climate change initiatives.

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Content: People 's Network > > International
Dubai Climate Conference _ Roundup: China and Middle East countries join hands to tackle climate change
December 9, 2023, 13: 49 | Source: Xinhua Network
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Xinhua News Agency, DUBAI, December 8, Roundup: China and Middle East countries join hands to combat climate change
By Xinhua reporter Luo Chen, Chen Mengyang, Wang Yan
The 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) is taking place in Dubai, UAE.
This is the second consecutive year that the United Nations Climate Change Conference is being held in the Middle East after Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
Just before COP28 was held, the world's largest single photovoltaic power station contracted by Chinese enterprises - the United Arab Emirates Eldavra photovoltaic power station was fully completed.
Rows of photovoltaic modules in Abu Dhabi ’ s vast desert form a spectacular “energy oasis ”.
The photovoltaic power station, which can supply electricity to 200,000 households, will reduce carbon emissions by 2.4 million tons per year, increasing the proportion of clean energy in the total energy structure of the UAE to more than 13%.
The Middle East is rich in oil and gas resources, and China and Middle East countries have maintained close cooperation in the energy field for a long time
In recent years, as the global climate crisis has become increasingly severe, China and the Middle East countries have accelerated their respective energy transformation steps, while vigorously promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation in clean energy and renewable energy.
In December 2022, at the first China-Arab Summit, China proposed the "eight common actions" for China-Arab practical cooperation, including joint actions on green innovation and joint actions on energy security.
China has proposed the establishment of the China-Arab International Research Center on Drought, Desertification and Land Degradation and the joint establishment of the China-Arab Clean Energy Cooperation Center, demonstrating its determination to continuously deepen cooperation on climate change.
China has the world 's largest clean power generation system, and the installed capacity of hydropower, wind power and solar power is ranked first in the world. With its technological advantages in the field of clean energy, China and the Middle East countries actively cooperate in clean coal, solar and other fields.
The Haasyan Clean Coal Power Station Project in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, built by Harbin Electric Group Co., Ltd. is the first clean coal power station project in the Middle East and the first power station in the world to achieve dual-fuel full-load power supply.
In May this year, the fourth unit of the project was connected to the grid for the first time.
In addition, the third phase of solar thermal power generation independent power station in Morocco undertaken by Chinese enterprises is the world's largest single capacity tower solar thermal power station, Oman's largest renewable energy project - Oman Ibril photovoltaic project completed last year, Saudi Red Sea New City the world's largest energy storage project is also stepping up construction.
Ahmed Mohamed Massina, Deputy Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy of Egypt, said that China and Egypt have maintained good cooperation in the field of renewable energy such as wind and solar energy, and expect the two sides to further deepen cooperation in various fields to jointly address climate change.
In addition to energy cooperation, China has also provided assistance to Middle East countries in the fields of desalination, green finance and green agriculture to jointly address the challenges posed by climate change.
In November 2022, Unit 2 of the Tawiller Seawater Desalination Project in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, built by SEPCO, was successfully connected to the grid.
The project is the largest reverse osmosis seawater desalination project under construction in the world.
Martin Trico, Chairman of the Investment Bank of Abu Dhabi First Bank, said that China ’ s “double carbon ” goal is highly compatible with the UAE government ’ s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, and Abu Dhabi First Bank issued the first RMB green debt in the Middle East and North Africa, and the space and potential for cooperation between the two sides is huge.
(Participating reporters: Guo Shuang, Tai Puping, Su Xiaopo)
(Edited by: Su Yanxiang, Xu Xiangli)
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The Middle East, traditionally known for its oil wealth, is undergoing a significant energy transition, with several nations investing heavily in renewable energy projects to prepare for a post-oil future.

One of the most prominent solar energy projects in the region is Egypt's Benban Solar Park, which boasts a capacity of 1,800 megawatts and is valued at $4 billion, making it one of the largest solar photovoltaic parks globally.

Spanning 37 square kilometers, the Benban Solar Park includes 41 solar power plants and features 7 million photovoltaic panels, showcasing Egypt's commitment to renewable energy development.

The Benban Solar Park is part of Egypt's Renewable Energy Feed Tariff (FiT) program, introduced in 2014 to attract investment in clean energy projects.

In the UAE, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park stands as the world’s largest independent power producer (IPP) solar site, while the Al Dhafra Solar PV Plant is set to become the largest solar power plant globally with a capacity of 2 gigawatts.

The UAE's Eldavra photovoltaic power station, completed recently, is the world's largest single photovoltaic power station, capable of supplying electricity to 200,000 households and reducing carbon emissions by 2.4 million tons annually.

Oman has also made strides in renewable energy with the completion of its largest renewable energy project, the Oman Ibril photovoltaic project, marking a significant milestone in the country's energy transition.

Wind energy initiatives are gaining traction in the region, exemplified by Egypt's Gulf of Suez Wind Power Project, which has a capacity of 1,100 megawatts and aims to provide power to over one million households.

The Gulf of Suez Wind Power Project is expected to reduce annual CO2 emissions by 2.4 million tons, highlighting its environmental benefits.

Saudi Arabia is advancing its wind energy sector through localized production, with Vision Group aiming to achieve 75% localized manufacturing of wind turbines and components by 2030.

The renewable energy market in the Middle East is projected to grow at an annual rate of 13.43% between 2023 and 2028, driven by ambitious national projects and international cooperation.

According to OAPEC, five Arab countries—Egypt, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—are expected to account for 72% of the region's renewable energy growth by 2027, reaching a combined capacity of 45 gigawatts.

The Middle East experienced its highest increase in renewable energy capacity in 2022, adding 3.2 gigawatts, which marked a 12.8% growth compared to the previous year.

Electricity generation from renewable sources in the region is projected to increase six-fold over the next decade, with solar photovoltaic energy playing a pivotal role.

Arab countries are expected to achieve 92% of their renewable energy targets by 2030, underscoring the region's commitment to clean energy development.

Government incentives have been instrumental in driving renewable energy adoption, such as Jordan's policies offering financial facilities to investors and reducing electricity bills to promote solar power.

Arab nations are collectively investing $1 trillion in renewable energy projects by 2040 to align with global environmental goals and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt are accelerating renewable energy investments to meet the global target of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.

The UAE’s green economy initiative and Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Green Initiative are fostering diversified digital economies while advancing national renewable energy visions.

The Middle East boasts one of the highest levels of solar energy potential globally, with countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Morocco, and Egypt receiving annual solar radiation exceeding 2,000 kilowatt-hours per square meter.

Despite this immense potential, solar energy currently accounts for just over 2% of the energy mix in the MENA region, far below the levels needed to replace the 87% contribution of fossil fuels.

Challenges persist in achieving COP28 goals, particularly in the Gulf region's energy sector, despite ambitious renewable energy deployment targets.

Public utility projects dominate the renewable energy transition in the Gulf region, potentially overshadowing the needs of commercial and industrial sectors.

The COP28 pledge aims to increase renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030, supported by commitments from 124 countries.

Post-2030, scalable technologies are expected to play a critical role in decarbonizing the energy sector and enhancing the effectiveness of renewables and zero-emission technologies.

Dr. Ralph Blumenthal emphasized the importance of integrating renewables into smart grids to achieve COP28 goals, with batteries being essential for grid regulation and renewable energy storage.

Key national projects like Saudi Arabia’s Neom initiative, which includes The Line—a car-free, carbon-free city powered by 100% renewable energy—are redefining urban sustainability.

Masdar City in the UAE is recognized as the most sustainable urban community globally, serving as a model for renewable energy integration.

Morocco has emerged as a leader in renewable energy, with nearly two-fifths of its electricity coming from renewables and implementing some of the world’s largest clean energy projects.

Green hydrogen projects in the Middle East are anticipated to generate export revenues of $200 billion by 2050, providing a significant economic boost to Gulf countries.

Saudi Arabia's sovereign fund is collaborating with solar industry giants JinkoSolar and TCL Central on solar projects with a total investment of approximately $3 billion.

Sunlight Power has signed the world's largest energy storage project with Saudi company ALGIHAZ, featuring a capacity of up to 7.8 gigawatt-hours.

JinkoSolar plans to establish a joint venture in Saudi Arabia to build 10 gigawatts of high-efficiency batteries and components, with a total investment of 7.157 billion yuan.

TCL Central is investing in a solar wafer project in Saudi Arabia with an annual output of 20 gigawatts and a total investment of approximately RMB15.1 billion.

The TCL Central solar wafer project will be the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia and the largest wafer factory in the world, underscoring the region's industrial ambitions.

China and Middle East countries are accelerating energy transformation steps in response to the global climate crisis, promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation in clean and renewable energy.

China has proposed the establishment of the China-Arab Clean Energy Cooperation Center to deepen collaboration on climate change and renewable energy.

Sunlight Power announced three energy storage project sites in Saudi Arabia, with deliveries starting in 2024 and full capacity grid operation expected by 2025.

The Middle East, traditionally known for its oil wealth, is undergoing a significant energy transition, with several nations investing heavily in renewable energy projects to prepare for a post-oil future.

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Content: Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
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Mohamad Elbaz
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
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Mohamad Elbaz
Economy: Benban and the Gulf of Suez are among the largest renewable energy projects
Economic Middle East magazine, which specializes in economics and energy, said that the Benban solar park and the Gulf of Suez wind project in Egypt are considered among the largest renewable energy projects in the Middle East.
Renewable Energy Projects in the Middle East
The Middle East has long relied on oil and gas, not only for revenue but also for power generation, but in the past years, the region has positioned itself as a leader in the renewable energy sector, boasting numerous renewable energy projects.
From 2023 to 2028, Mordor Intelligence expects the renewable energy market in the Middle East to grow by 13.43% annually.
The Arab Clean Energy Initiative was launched by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and during the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit of 2013, the League of Arab States adopted the initiative, with leaders pledging to increase renewable energy generation capacity in the region from 12 GW in 2013 to 80 GW by 2030.
Benban Solar Park
Located in Aswan, Egypt with a capacity of 1,800 megawatts, Benban Solar Park is valued at $4 billion and includes 41 solar power plants, one of the largest solar PV parks in the world, spanning 37 square kilometers and containing 7 million photovoltaic panels, this initiative is a component of Egypt ’ s Renewable Energy Feed Tariff (FiT) program, which was unveiled in September 2014.
Gulf of Suez Wind Power Project
In November last year, ACWA Power and the Sovereign Fund of Egypt (TSFE) signed a memorandum of understanding, and together they will invest in a 1100 MW wind power project in Jebel Zeit and the Gulf of Suez. The project is one of the largest onshore wind farms in the world, and aims to provide power to more than one million households and reduce annual CO2 emissions by 2.4 million tons.

One of the most prominent solar energy projects in the region is Egypt's Benban Solar Park, which boasts a capacity of 1,800 megawatts and is valued at $4 billion, making it one of the largest solar photovoltaic parks globally.

Spanning 37 square kilometers, the Benban Solar Park includes 41 solar power plants and features 7 million photovoltaic panels, showcasing Egypt's commitment to renewable energy development.

The Benban Solar Park is part of Egypt's Renewable Energy Feed Tariff (FiT) program, introduced in 2014 to attract investment in clean energy projects.

In the UAE, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park stands as the world’s largest independent power producer (IPP) solar site, while the Al Dhafra Solar PV Plant is set to become the largest solar power plant globally with a capacity of 2 gigawatts.

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Content: New technologies to achieve sustainability goals and address climate change
Science and Technology
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Existing renewable energy initiatives in the Middle East are strengthening their role in supporting international efforts to address climate change.
In particular, the region is one of the largest contributors to the oil and gas sector globally, and at the same time is the cradle of a number of major and ambitious initiatives and projects aimed at enhancing the reliance on clean energy.
In the UAE, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the world ’ s largest IPP solar site, and the Al Dhafra Solar PV Plant is being built as the world ’ s largest solar power plant with a capacity of 2 GW.
Masdar City is the most sustainable urban community in the world.
ADFD is committed to funding innovative projects to accelerate access to sustainable energy as part of a joint initiative with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
In Saudi Arabia, Neom recently launched The Line, the world ’ s first car-free, carbon-free city with 100% renewable energy.
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) leads green energy projects designed to manage the recycling of grey water for reuse for plant irrigation and other purposes, and also has large area photovoltaic panels that produce clean electricity.
In Egypt, hydropower is the second source of energy after thermal, wind and solar, and the country has developed a number of future projects that seek to exploit solar energy and replace non-renewable energy.
Other green projects in Egypt include the cities of Jebel Galala and El Alamein.
The Bahrain World Trade Centre is one of the world ’ s leading examples of sustainable architecture, taking the lead in being the first skyscraper in the world to introduce wind turbines to provide total energy consumption.
Morocco, famous for its huge and world-leading solar arrays, has made a big name for itself as a leader in the fight against climate change, renewable energy makes up nearly two-fifths of the country ’ s electricity, and the country implements some of the world ’ s largest clean energy projects.
Since 2012, Jordan has turned to solar power to generate electricity and government policies have pushed citizens and investors to turn to renewable energy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, by offering financial facilities to investors and reducing the electricity bill.
Sustainability initiatives in the Arab countries contribute effectively to building a diversified digital economy that achieves the national visions of these countries, and the green economy initiative launched by the UAE, and the Saudi Green Initiative is a good example of this.
Today, the ICT sector is increasingly playing a role in achieving sustainability through new technologies such as 5G, cloud computing and artificial intelligence that will play a key role in implementing clean energy initiatives as they enhance productivity, improve efficiency, reduce costs and waste, evaluate business systems, analyze waste, track problems and develop solutions.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) says ICT will contribute to achieving the UN ’ s Sustainable Development Goals and improving the quality of life.
According to the United Nations, ICT can be relied upon in two ways: reliance on clean information and communication technology, and clean energy generation based on information and communication technology.
In the first scenario, ICT solutions that contribute to environmental safety and carbon reduction are designed.
In the second scenario, ICT solutions such as those in grids, buildings, smart logistics and industrial processes help promote sustainability and energy efficiency.
The sustainability efforts of tech companies have been recognized globally, Huawei is an example of companies that have adjusted their business in line with sustainability goals, and recently received an award from the International Mobile Phone Association for their contributions to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through mobile devices.
The company aims to rely on innovative technologies to drive clean development across various sectors and industries, and in 2021 it used more than 300 million kWh of electricity produced from renewable sources, an increase of 42.3% compared to 2020.
Huawei ’ s digital power solutions have generated 482.9 billion kilowatt-hours of clean energy and reduced electricity consumption by 14.2 billion kilowatt-hours, equivalent to 230 million tons of carbon emissions.
In parallel with efforts to promote a sustainable approach to technology, the ICT industry must not lose sight of the issue of enhanced security.
Technology providers should focus on protecting user privacy when working to provide modern, seamless technology and communications.
Certainly, we will not be able to grow the business and ensure its sustainability if we do not provide safe and reliable technologies to protect cybersecurity, which is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders involved in sustainability.
The current digital divide could isolate millions of people around the world from contributing to the development of a clean economy.
Tech companies can contribute to making technology accessible to all thanks to their technical capabilities and resources.
Through initiatives such as TECH4ALL, Huawei has relied on digital technologies to implement programs aimed at enhancing the leadership capabilities of more than 110,000 people in 2021.
The digital divide in global talent could undermine sustainability efforts, so greater emphasis should be placed on redressing it and priority should be given to strengthening collaboration between tech companies, academia and government institutions in order to bridge the digital skills gap.
By investing in programs to prepare local technical cadres, hone skills and enhance practical experience, more bridges of cooperation between the public and private sectors can be built to prepare the future generation of sustainability leaders with the help of technology.
Huawei has established 163 ICT academies in the Middle East.
More than 3,500 students participated in the Seeds for the Global Future program, while more than 37,000 students received Huawei certifications.
The company has also provided training to more than 120,000 ICT talents in the region who are expected to contribute to the advancement of sustainability in the countries of the region by making the most of technology.
In light of the increasing challenges of reducing carbon emissions facing various countries around the world, we all have a responsibility to strengthen cooperation and work together to build a sustainable and prosperous future for future generations.
By: Ammar Taba, Huawei Vice President for Public Relations and Media in the Middle East
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The UAE's Eldavra photovoltaic power station, completed recently, is the world's largest single photovoltaic power station, capable of supplying electricity to 200,000 households and reducing carbon emissions by 2.4 million tons annually.

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Content: People 's Network > > International
Dubai Climate Conference _ Roundup: China and Middle East countries join hands to tackle climate change
December 9, 2023, 13: 49 | Source: Xinhua Network
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Xinhua News Agency, DUBAI, December 8, Roundup: China and Middle East countries join hands to combat climate change
By Xinhua reporter Luo Chen, Chen Mengyang, Wang Yan
The 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) is taking place in Dubai, UAE.
This is the second consecutive year that the United Nations Climate Change Conference is being held in the Middle East after Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
Just before COP28 was held, the world's largest single photovoltaic power station contracted by Chinese enterprises - the United Arab Emirates Eldavra photovoltaic power station was fully completed.
Rows of photovoltaic modules in Abu Dhabi ’ s vast desert form a spectacular “energy oasis ”.
The photovoltaic power station, which can supply electricity to 200,000 households, will reduce carbon emissions by 2.4 million tons per year, increasing the proportion of clean energy in the total energy structure of the UAE to more than 13%.
The Middle East is rich in oil and gas resources, and China and Middle East countries have maintained close cooperation in the energy field for a long time
In recent years, as the global climate crisis has become increasingly severe, China and the Middle East countries have accelerated their respective energy transformation steps, while vigorously promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation in clean energy and renewable energy.
In December 2022, at the first China-Arab Summit, China proposed the "eight common actions" for China-Arab practical cooperation, including joint actions on green innovation and joint actions on energy security.
China has proposed the establishment of the China-Arab International Research Center on Drought, Desertification and Land Degradation and the joint establishment of the China-Arab Clean Energy Cooperation Center, demonstrating its determination to continuously deepen cooperation on climate change.
China has the world 's largest clean power generation system, and the installed capacity of hydropower, wind power and solar power is ranked first in the world. With its technological advantages in the field of clean energy, China and the Middle East countries actively cooperate in clean coal, solar and other fields.
The Haasyan Clean Coal Power Station Project in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, built by Harbin Electric Group Co., Ltd. is the first clean coal power station project in the Middle East and the first power station in the world to achieve dual-fuel full-load power supply.
In May this year, the fourth unit of the project was connected to the grid for the first time.
In addition, the third phase of solar thermal power generation independent power station in Morocco undertaken by Chinese enterprises is the world's largest single capacity tower solar thermal power station, Oman's largest renewable energy project - Oman Ibril photovoltaic project completed last year, Saudi Red Sea New City the world's largest energy storage project is also stepping up construction.
Ahmed Mohamed Massina, Deputy Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy of Egypt, said that China and Egypt have maintained good cooperation in the field of renewable energy such as wind and solar energy, and expect the two sides to further deepen cooperation in various fields to jointly address climate change.
In addition to energy cooperation, China has also provided assistance to Middle East countries in the fields of desalination, green finance and green agriculture to jointly address the challenges posed by climate change.
In November 2022, Unit 2 of the Tawiller Seawater Desalination Project in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, built by SEPCO, was successfully connected to the grid.
The project is the largest reverse osmosis seawater desalination project under construction in the world.
Martin Trico, Chairman of the Investment Bank of Abu Dhabi First Bank, said that China ’ s “double carbon ” goal is highly compatible with the UAE government ’ s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, and Abu Dhabi First Bank issued the first RMB green debt in the Middle East and North Africa, and the space and potential for cooperation between the two sides is huge.
(Participating reporters: Guo Shuang, Tai Puping, Su Xiaopo)
(Edited by: Su Yanxiang, Xu Xiangli)
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Oman has also made strides in renewable energy with the completion of its largest renewable energy project, the Oman Ibril photovoltaic project, marking a significant milestone in the country's energy transition.

Wind energy initiatives are gaining traction in the region, exemplified by Egypt's Gulf of Suez Wind Power Project, which has a capacity of 1,100 megawatts and aims to provide power to over one million households.

The Gulf of Suez Wind Power Project is expected to reduce annual CO2 emissions by 2.4 million tons, highlighting its environmental benefits.

Saudi Arabia is advancing its wind energy sector through localized production, with Vision Group aiming to achieve 75% localized manufacturing of wind turbines and components by 2030.

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Content: Land solar energy investment set off the "Middle East fever" total amount of nearly 100 billion
China's new energy investment set off the "Middle East fever", solar industry giants Jingke Energy, TCL Central almost at the same time announced cooperation with Saudi Arabia (Saudi Arabia) sovereign fund solar projects, a total investment of about 3 billion US dollars (about NT $97.5 billion).
In addition, inverter giant Sunlight Power announced the successful signing of the world's largest energy storage project with Saudi company ALGIHAZ, with a capacity of up to 7.8GWh.
Analysts pointed out that the above case means that in addition to the continued investment of Middle East funds in the mainland, in the solar industry is subject to overcapacity criticism, mainland funds choose to go to the Middle East to develop the solar industry.
Founded in 1971, PIF is one of the largest and most influential sovereign renewable wealth funds in the world. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, RELC, is one of the largest and most influential renewable wealth funds in the world. and a leader in green energy technology manufacturing.
Founded in 2021 by two major conglomerates, Abunayyan and Al Muhaidib, VI aims to build a new energy industry chain manufacturing capacity in Saudi Arabia to meet the huge demand for new energy in the Middle East and the world, and is an investor and developer of green energy industrial projects to support the localization of supply chains.
Among them, JinkoSolar ’ s joint venture company plans to set up a joint venture company in Saudi Arabia to build 10GW of high-efficiency batteries and components, with a total investment of 7.157 billion yuan.
JinkoSolar has a market share of more than 50% in the Middle East in 2023, including more than 70% in Saudi Arabia.
The joint venture company of TCL Central has an annual output of 20 GW of solar wafer projects in Saudi Arabia, with a total investment of about RMB15.1 billion.
It is also TCL ’ s first overseas solar wafer factory in Central.
After the project is launched, it will become the first solar wafer project in Saudi Arabia and the largest wafer factory in the world.
Vision Group ’ s joint venture will manufacture wind turbines and critical components locally. Helping Saudi wind power value chain achieve 75% localized production by 2030.
And Vision is the global wind power leader, overseas wind orders for two consecutive years accounted for 70% of the orders of mainland China's wind power enterprises.
At the same time, Sunlight Power also announced three sites in the Middle East energy storage project, in the Najran, Madaya and Khamis Mushait regions of Saudi Arabia, with deliveries starting in 2024 and full capacity grid operation in 2025.
However, Sun Power did not disclose the contract amount in the announcement.
TCL Middle East Wealth
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The renewable energy market in the Middle East is projected to grow at an annual rate of 13.43% between 2023 and 2028, driven by ambitious national projects and international cooperation.

According to OAPEC, five Arab countries—Egypt, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—are expected to account for 72% of the region's renewable energy growth by 2027, reaching a combined capacity of 45 gigawatts.

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Content: Sunday, 24 September 2023 02: 03 GMT
2030 Arab Goal to Advance Renewable Energy Capabilities Globally
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Several Arab countries are accelerating to keep pace with the international aspiration to achieve the goal of tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030, which is receiving widespread attention, amid various plans and strategies at national levels in many countries.
The Arab countries that are likely to play the largest role in this regard, according to industry experts, are the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, Algeria and Morocco, by injecting more investments into this vital and promising sector.
During the recent G20 summit in New Delhi in September, G20 leaders expressed their support for all efforts to increase renewable energy capacity and pledged to accelerate measures to address environmental crises and challenges.
With this growing international interest in the energy transition, the plans are facing many challenges, including (but not limited to) access to finance, especially for low- and middle-income countries, with significant investment required over the coming years.
(Al-Bayan), a group of American academics and specialists in the renewable energy sector were surveyed about the main opportunities and challenges on the way to increase the desired capacity, the investments required to achieve that goal, and the extent of its expected environmental and economic repercussions.
Huge spikes.
Achieving the ambitious goal of doubling global renewable energy capacity in the near term will be reflected concretely in several contexts, explains Gregory Nemet, a specialist in the analysis of international energy systems and environmental policies at the University of Wisconsin. By 2030, it will deliver significant benefits in terms of jobs, economic development, and improved air quality, as well as putting the world on the path to addressing climate change in the long term.
“The costs of renewable energy, especially solar and wind, have dropped dramatically over the last 10 years, and most experts expect them to continue to fall, ” says Nemet, explaining that a clean, affordable source of energy creates huge opportunities, allowing global renewable energy capacity to be tripled by taking full advantage of it.
According to Nemet, the 3-fold increase also presents challenges, such as “access to finance for low- and middle-income countries, and investments in electricity grids to accommodate this growth ”, stressing that“ challenges can be overcome through sustained efforts and supportive policies, as we have seen many examples in the recent past. ” A sign of broad international cooperation is required in this regard.
Last year, renewable energy capacity (globally) increased by 9.6 percent to 3,372 gigawatts, an increase of a record 295 gigawatts, despite global uncertainty in light of geopolitical developments and the Ukrainian war, according to data published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) on March 22.
Almost half of the new capacity from renewable energy in Asia has been added, with China contributing more than 141 gigawatts to the new capacity of the entire continent.
Renewable energy sources in Europe and the United States grew by 57.3 gigawatts and 29.1 gigawatts respectively.
African capacity increased slightly by 2.7 gigawatts.
According to IRENA data, although hydropower accounts for the largest share of total global renewable energy capacity at 1,250 gigawatts, solar and wind power continue to dominate new capacity, contributing 90% of total capacity last year.
Solar capacity came first with an increase of 22%, followed by wind power with an increase of 9%.
Policies and Incentives
University of Massachusetts academic David Turcotte, whose research interests include climate change and environmental justice, believes that there are many opportunities in the context of increasing global renewable energy capacity, due to increases in oil prices as a result of the Ukrainian crisis, which makes renewable energy sources more cost-effective, as well as worsening economic and human costs. Recurrent, more severe climate change disasters.
“Many developed countries have expanded policies and incentives to encourage increased capacity to produce renewable energy.
However, we still face a lot of challenges […]
That threatens to derail efforts to increase renewable energy capacity, and the transition to a clean energy economy.
Among these challenges is the lack of adequate funding to support increases in renewable energy capacity in developing countries, a challenge he described as “serious. ”
While international efforts are accelerating to target investments in the context of increasing global renewable energy capacity, those investments are still below the 1.5 ° C target.
This is shown by data from IRENA and the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) released in February, which estimate the total volume of investments in renewable energy sectors during 2022 at $499 billion, up from $430 billion in the previous year 2021.
Developments in the world over the past year, especially with the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, have also encouraged many countries to move more towards renewable energy sources, to overcome the energy crisis caused by the consequences of the war, in the interest of the desired goal of increasing capacity.
Required investments
John Hall, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Center for Energy Production and Infrastructure, University of North Carolina, United States, notes that “the goal of tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030 is a challenge, and achieving the goal requires an intensive global strategy, focused on significant financial investment, technological innovation targeting these communities, inclusive policies, and collaborative efforts. ”
Speaking with Al-Bayan, he stressed that community participation and infrastructure development in underserved areas should be central to the strategy, leading not only to the promotion of the energy transition, but also to economic upgrading.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that $4 trillion per year will be required in the clean energy sector until 2030 to strengthen global capacity in this regard.
Logistical challenges
Warren Mabey, an academic at Queen ’ s University who specialises in energy policy and natural resource management, told Al Bayan that “it is technically possible to triple global renewable energy capacity over the next six years, and this will put enormous pressure on the global supply chains that support the sector. and manufactured goods, necessary for the transformation process).
Mabe believes that “the cost will be enormous, and the logistical challenge may be too great to overcome ”, stressing the need for“ strong and consistent leadership from countries around the world to achieve this. ”
Arabic Steps
At the Arab level, five Arab countries (Egypt, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) are expected to account for about 72% of the region ’ s total growth in renewable energy, according to the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), which expects renewable energy capacity to reach 45 gigawatts by 2027, an increase of 3 times. Compared to the last five years.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that in 2022, the Middle East saw the highest increase in renewables ever, with 3.2 gigawatts of new capacity added last year, a 12.8 percent increase over the previous year.
According to the Arab Renewable Energy Authority (AREA), the volume of investments by Arab countries in renewable energy projects is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2040, in light of the interest of Arab governments in this file, to achieve global environmental goals.
A Great Leap in 10 Years
According to the current data, the renewable energy sector in the region is expected to witness a huge leap in the next 10 years, at a time when eight Arab countries are leading this trend, according to the researcher in international relations and political economy, Abu Bakr al-Deeb, adviser to the Arab Center for Studies and Research, who tells Al-Bayan that the countries strongly candidate to move in this direction are:, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, Algeria and Morocco).
Aldeeb also cites the volume of electricity generated from renewable sources in the Middle East and Arab countries, which is expected to increase six-fold in 10 years through heavy reliance on solar photovoltaic energy, noting that the Arab region has “great potential ” to help launch major projects to produce energy from the sun. And wind, among these possibilities or advantages (the right climate, the bright sun most days of the year, as well as human expertise, and financial capabilities also for some countries).
The UAE is at the top of the list of Arab countries that produce electricity from solar energy, while Egypt is the largest country in the Arab world in terms of electricity production from wind energy, according to a report issued by (Global Energy Monitor), which Al-Deeb cites when explaining the progress made by some Arab countries in this sector, The UAE, Egypt, Jordan and Morocco are among the first Arab countries to establish solar and wind power plants.
According to the report, renewable power plant projects for Arab countries are likely to achieve 92% of the region ’ s total target by 2030 when completed.
One of the most reliable projects in this regard is the Green Hydrogen projects, through which the Middle East is seeking global leadership, with export revenues likely to reach $200 billion by 2050 for the Gulf countries, according to a study by Dii Desert Energy.
In this context, Al-Deeb notes the abundance of renewable energy resources, clean hydrogen, human expertise, capital, and their geographical proximity to the European market, all of which provide them with important and growing opportunities.
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The Middle East experienced its highest increase in renewable energy capacity in 2022, adding 3.2 gigawatts, which marked a 12.8% growth compared to the previous year.

Electricity generation from renewable sources in the region is projected to increase six-fold over the next decade, with solar photovoltaic energy playing a pivotal role.

Arab countries are expected to achieve 92% of their renewable energy targets by 2030, underscoring the region's commitment to clean energy development.

Government incentives have been instrumental in driving renewable energy adoption, such as Jordan's policies offering financial facilities to investors and reducing electricity bills to promote solar power.

Arab nations are collectively investing $1 trillion in renewable energy projects by 2040 to align with global environmental goals and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt are accelerating renewable energy investments to meet the global target of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.

The UAE’s green economy initiative and Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Green Initiative are fostering diversified digital economies while advancing national renewable energy visions.

The Middle East boasts one of the highest levels of solar energy potential globally, with countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Morocco, and Egypt receiving annual solar radiation exceeding 2,000 kilowatt-hours per square meter.

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Content: General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
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General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
Editor-in-Chief
Thank you for your patience.
World Future Energy Summit.
Green finance and climate change lead day 2
The second day of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in the UAE, kicked off today.
The summit is the premier annual forum for future energy and sustainability.
The day ’ s events focused on green finance, with Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, stressing the urgency of correcting climate change and thinking outside the box, and providing inspiring views on the obstacles to investing in renewable energy and ways to develop it during a session entitled “Financing Global Approaches to Low-Carbon Economies ”.
“It takes a lot of in-depth social studies, practical solutions and a lot of financial support – governments around the world spend a lot of money to defend themselves against other governments, but we don ’ t spend that much money to fight everyone ’ s first enemy, climate change.
He believes that finding practical solutions requires a serious approach to financing and establishing an assembly line for simple renewable energy projects, so that tangible results can be achieved as soon as possible, which is not possible without setting aside the side issues that usually concern us or we will not be able to solve the problem for another 10 years.
Ahmed Bahieldin, General Manager and Commercial Officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at GE Vernova, an independent public company spin-off of GE ’ s energy, wind and electricity business, also joined the panel.
“Time is an important factor, especially as there is a lot of capital looking for projects in advanced markets, especially in the areas of renewable energy sources and new technologies, and regulatory reforms and the structuring of the revenue model give more room for growth.
The second day of the summit also saw the launch of the Solar Outlook 2024 report, officially released by the Middle East Solar Industry Association at the World Future Energy Summit.
The report highlights the growing contribution of solar energy to the MENA region ’ s ongoing energy transition from traditional fossil fuels to renewables, amid continued manufacturing boom, population and economic growth, as well as concerns about climate change and environmental sustainability.
Solar Energy
According to the report, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region today has one of the highest levels of solar energy potential in the world, with countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Egypt contributing on average annual solar radiation exceeding 2,000 kilowatt-hours per square meter per year.
While the regional solar growth trajectory is expected to continue, the report reveals that it is still well below the levels required to replace the current fossil fuel contribution of 87%, with solar providing just over 2% of the current energy mix in the MENA region.
Denisa Vines, Secretary General of the Middle East Solar Industry Association, said: “The COP28 pledge to increase renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency with the support of 124 countries has set ambitious targets to increase the deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures by 2030, but we still face many challenges to achieve these goals, especially in the energy sector within the Gulf region. After 2030, a variety of technologies are expected to be market-ready, offering scalable solutions to decarbonize the energy sector, enabling a more effective role for renewables, energy efficiency and zero-emission technologies.
The broad pursuit of ambitious targets by 2030 is focused on public utility projects, which may overshadow the needs of the commercial and industrial sectors, and this underscores the importance of considering a balanced approach to energy deployment to ensure inclusive and sustainable development.
COP28 Pledges
Speaking at the Solar and Clean Energy Conference, Dr. Ralph Blumenthal, Head of Networks Programs Middle East at Siemens, praised the ongoing discussions on digitization and the great importance of integrating renewables into smart grids to help achieve the goals of the COP28 pledge.
Batteries are key if we want to triple renewables by 2030, and increase them nine-fold by 2050. Batteries are not only storage, they are essential to grid regulation and reduce disruptions that may occur during renewable energy generation. Today, around 1,500 GW of renewable energy has been installed globally and is ready for deployment, but cannot be integrated into networks. It operates 100% on renewable energy, but national grids have not yet been able to effectively integrate renewables on a large scale.
Constructive discussions and sessions on global energy issues and solutions will continue tomorrow with the Electric Mobility Forum, which will comprehensively examine the role of clean and independent transport in changing the future of city design, and what is needed to unlock the potential of investing in expanding electric mobility.

Despite this immense potential, solar energy currently accounts for just over 2% of the energy mix in the MENA region, far below the levels needed to replace the 87% contribution of fossil fuels.

Challenges persist in achieving COP28 goals, particularly in the Gulf region's energy sector, despite ambitious renewable energy deployment targets.

Public utility projects dominate the renewable energy transition in the Gulf region, potentially overshadowing the needs of commercial and industrial sectors.

The COP28 pledge aims to increase renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030, supported by commitments from 124 countries.

Post-2030, scalable technologies are expected to play a critical role in decarbonizing the energy sector and enhancing the effectiveness of renewables and zero-emission technologies.

Dr. Ralph Blumenthal emphasized the importance of integrating renewables into smart grids to achieve COP28 goals, with batteries being essential for grid regulation and renewable energy storage.

Key national projects like Saudi Arabia’s Neom initiative, which includes The Line—a car-free, carbon-free city powered by 100% renewable energy—are redefining urban sustainability.

Masdar City in the UAE is recognized as the most sustainable urban community globally, serving as a model for renewable energy integration.

Morocco has emerged as a leader in renewable energy, with nearly two-fifths of its electricity coming from renewables and implementing some of the world’s largest clean energy projects.

Green hydrogen projects in the Middle East are anticipated to generate export revenues of $200 billion by 2050, providing a significant economic boost to Gulf countries.

Saudi Arabia's sovereign fund is collaborating with solar industry giants JinkoSolar and TCL Central on solar projects with a total investment of approximately $3 billion.

Sunlight Power has signed the world's largest energy storage project with Saudi company ALGIHAZ, featuring a capacity of up to 7.8 gigawatt-hours.

JinkoSolar plans to establish a joint venture in Saudi Arabia to build 10 gigawatts of high-efficiency batteries and components, with a total investment of 7.157 billion yuan.

TCL Central is investing in a solar wafer project in Saudi Arabia with an annual output of 20 gigawatts and a total investment of approximately RMB15.1 billion.

The TCL Central solar wafer project will be the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia and the largest wafer factory in the world, underscoring the region's industrial ambitions.

China and Middle East countries are accelerating energy transformation steps in response to the global climate crisis, promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation in clean and renewable energy.

China has proposed the establishment of the China-Arab Clean Energy Cooperation Center to deepen collaboration on climate change and renewable energy.

Sunlight Power announced three energy storage project sites in Saudi Arabia, with deliveries starting in 2024 and full capacity grid operation expected by 2025.