Energy Transition in the Middle East: National Solar Initiatives, Government Incentives, and Impacts on Economy and Climate Goals

Introduction

The Middle East has long been a global hub for hydrocarbon production, with its economies fundamentally shaped by oil and natural gas exports.

This fossil fuel dependence has historically underpinned state revenues, development policies, and international relations.

However, the escalating global climate crisis and commitments enshrined in international accords—such as the Paris Agreement and multilateral climate summits like COP26 and the forthcoming COP28—have accelerated a regional shift toward energy transition.

Middle Eastern countries recognize the necessity to diversify energy sources to mitigate environmental impacts, safeguard economic stability amid fluctuating fossil fuel markets, and meet evolving geopolitical expectations concerning climate change.

The region is seizing the opportunity to align energy policy with sustainable development goals through expansive investments in renewable energy, particularly solar power, given its geographic and climatic advantage.

Solar Potential in the Middle East

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region boasts some of the highest solar irradiation rates worldwide, with annual solar radiation surpassing 2,000 kilowatt-hours per square meter in countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, and Morocco.

This exceptional solar resource presents an almost unparalleled opportunity for cost-effective and large-scale solar energy generation, offering a strategic path to reimagine national energy systems.

Despite these advantages, renewables currently constitute only about 2% of the region's energy mix, which remains heavily reliant on hydrocarbons, accounting for approximately 87%.

The substantial solar potential makes solar energy a cornerstone for decarbonization efforts, energy self-reliance, and regional power market integration.

National Strategies and Projects

Countries across the Middle East have articulated ambitious strategic targets and implemented significant solar projects to harness their solar endowments and meet climate and economic objectives.

Saudi Arabia aims to increase renewable energy to constitute 50% of its energy mix by 2030 under the landmark Vision 2030 plan.

Although concrete operational solar capacity figures are evolving rapidly, national projects like the Red Sea Green City—a fully renewable-powered mega-development—signal major investments.

The Kingdom integrates solar with wind and energy storage technologies to ensure grid reliability.

Saudi Arabia also benefits from international partnerships; notably, Chinese firms are engaged in constructing facilities like the 2 GW Zafra Solar Power Station near Abu Dhabi, underscoring a regional emphasis on cross-border collaboration and clean energy export potential.

While specific installed solar capacity is not comprehensively reported yet, aggressive targets and multiple ongoing projects indicate a fast-scaling capacity trajectory.

The UAE presents one of the most advanced and diversified renewable energy frameworks in the region.

It has committed to achieving 50% clean energy by 2050 and invests heavily—over $163 billion planned until 2050—in renewable infrastructure and innovation.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park in Dubai aims for 5 GW capacity and represents one of the world’s largest solar power plants.

The Al Dhafra Solar Plant, currently under construction near Abu Dhabi, is set to add an additional 2 GW.

As of recent reports, the UAE already reported more than 2 GW of clean energy capacity, with rooftop solar installations exceeding 500 MW by 2022.

Masdar, the UAE’s renewable energy company, has significantly expanded capacity through partnerships with energy giants like Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

These projects are supported by ambitious policy frameworks targeting net zero emissions and innovations in green hydrogen and energy storage.

Egypt has made striking progress with its solar energy sector.

The Benban Solar Park, comprising around 1.8 GW capacity, stands as one of Africa's largest solar installations.

Additionally, Kom Ombo solar project adds 200 MW, and 32 other solar plants collectively contribute approximately 1.47 GW.

Egypt's renewable energy share target is 42% of electricity by 2030, up from a prior 40% 2035 target, reflecting accelerated ambitions.

The country plans another 2 GW expansion in renewable capacity, supported by programs to develop localized solar manufacturing capabilities, including silicon and panel production.

Egypt is also spearheading cross-national projects such as the GREGY subsea interconnector—a 1,400-kilometer electricity cable linking Egypt to Greece, aiming to channel 3,000 MW of renewable power to European grids, thereby positioning the country as a regional renewable energy hub.

Jordan has surpassed its renewable target early by reaching approximately 31% renewable electricity by 2023, with plans to increase to 50%.

It has steadily expanded solar and wind generation backed by government incentives and financial facilities promoting investment and reducing electricity costs.

Jordan is developing capabilities to export clean power regionally but faces infrastructural challenges related to grid modernization and energy storage.

Morocco, regarded as a renewable energy leader in Africa, has made substantial solar investments complementing a renewable share approaching 40%.

Exact operational solar capacity data is limited but Morocco’s Noor Solar Complex and other projects have contributed significantly to the region’s energy transition dynamics.

Lebanon, despite economic and political hurdles, has installed over 1,500 MW of solar capacity as of mid-2024—with ambitions to reach 3,000 MW solar and 1,000 MW wind by 2030.

Government drives to reduce fossil fuel subsidies and support solar water heating and hydroelectric projects have underpinned this growth.

Solar power production costs range around 6 to 7 US cents per kilowatt-hour, cheaper than private diesel generators, improving cost competitiveness and local energy access.

Oman also projects clean energy capacity to reach 2.6 GW by 2025, with plans to build a hydrogen production industry targeting around one million tonnes per annum by 2030, reflecting strategic diversification.

Government Incentives and Policy Frameworks

To foster solar scale-up, Middle Eastern governments have implemented diverse incentives, subsidies, regulatory reforms, and investment frameworks.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 underpins renewable energy expansion with feed-in tariffs (FiTs) and supportive regulations aimed at accelerating solar deployment and green hydrogen development.

While concrete FiTs detail for domestic solar remains evolving, the plan incentivizes large-scale projects and international cooperation to support technology transfer and financing.

The UAE operates a comprehensive Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, pledging multi-billion-dollar investments in renewables and energy storage infrastructure.

The country has initiated tariff reforms that phase out fossil fuel subsidies, empowering solar competitiveness.

Programs such as Shams Dubai encourage rooftop solar adoption, while green mobility and smart grid developments complement renewable integration.

The UAE’s investment in R&D and innovation, including dedicated hydrogen research centers, strengthen technological leadership.

Egypt’s implementation of Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariffs catalyzes solar PV installation, exemplified by the Benban Solar Park’s rapid development.

The government supports an automated platform facilitating grid connections for small solar plants, fostering decentralized power generation.

Industry localization initiatives promote solar silicon production, improving supply chain resilience.

Egypt’s energy policy ambitiously targets 42% renewable electricity by 2030.

Jordan provides financial incentives and subsidies to investors to expand renewable projects.

It also pursues electricity bill reduction initiatives geared toward encouraging renewables uptake and lowering carbon emissions.

While specific FiT programs are less prominent, Jordan’s economic support structures for renewable investments have enabled steady sector growth.

Lebanon’s recent reforms include curtailing subsidized fossil fuel consumption to enhance solar competitiveness.

The government has endorsed construction of 11 solar plants totaling 165 MW and amended electricity tariffs to favor renewable deployment.

These adjustments respond to economic pressures and infrastructure challenges while promoting sustainable energy access.

Economic and Job Impact

Renewable energy deployment in the Middle East generates significant economic diversification and employment benefits.

Large-scale projects such as Egypt’s Benban Solar Park create thousands of direct and indirect jobs spanning construction, operations, and maintenance.

Saudi Arabia’s expanding renewable sector under Vision 2030 stimulates new industries and integrates clean energy within broader economic diversification plans.

In the UAE, Masdar’s projects and green hydrogen initiatives have employed thousands of workers, supporting green technology development and associated sectors.

Regionally, capital investments in renewables are substantial.

The Middle East saw a $3.2 billion increase in renewable energy investments recently, with total regional investments expected to reach approximately $45 billion over the next five years.

Bilateral partnerships, particularly with China, which is actively engaged in technology and clean energy investments extending beyond $10 billion, underpin funding.

Sovereign wealth funds such as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and various UAE investment arms contribute heavily to domestic and foreign clean energy portfolios, signifying institutional commitment to economic transformation.

Energy Transition in the Middle East: National Solar Initiatives, Government Incentives, and Impacts on Economy and Climate Goals

Introduction

The Middle East has long been a global hub for hydrocarbon production, with its economies fundamentally shaped by oil and natural gas exports.

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Content: Contribution ｜ Explore Hong Kong ’ s role and opportunities in the development of renewable energy in the Middle East
Author: 01 More Voices
Published: Updated:
In recent years, Hong Kong has actively promoted the development of renewable energy and launched a number of related products in the financial market.
In addition, more and more Hong Kong enterprises have also started to participate in the development of this industry, especially in the financial market, and launched a number of financial products to support the development of renewable energy.
At the same time, many countries in the Middle East, such as the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Turkey, are also actively engaged in various large-scale projects to promote the development of renewable energy, and expect to see a different energy mix and economic development model in 2030 or 2050.
For Hong Kong, China and other countries, the development opportunities of the Middle East market cannot be ignored, and Hong Kong ’ s participation in this area cannot be underestimated.
Submitted by: Kwong Cheuk-wui
Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in several seminars on economic and energy development in the Middle East, and have in-depth exchanges with government representatives in charge of foreign affairs and trade from various Middle Eastern countries and Azerbaijan.
These exchange experiences provide the author with a wealth of insight.
After many in-depth talks, to understand the interest and momentum of the development of renewable energy in many countries in the Middle East, the author synthesized the information from various parties and came to the following insights: The reason why the major oil producers in the Middle East are actively developing renewable energy is to achieve economic diversification and get rid of dependence on oil and related industries.
They hope to turn the country ’ s surplus renewable energy into new, dependable foreign revenues (i.e., revenues generated from natural resource exports; “Rents ”) through innovative technologies.
For other non-oil producing countries, they want to achieve economic sustainability through the development of renewable energy, reduce dependence on traditional fossil fuels or electricity imports, and convert renewable energy into new external rental income to boost the country ’ s economic development.
From this, it can be seen that the Middle East countries are very concerned about the development of renewable energy, but also hope to complete the energy transformation as soon as possible, and look forward to renewable energy can produce more and greater economic benefits, create new dependent income, promote economic diversification and modernization, but also benefit thousands of people.
As a result, many countries in the Middle East have invested heavily in and promoted energy transformation and clean energy development.
Although many countries have made extraordinary achievements in driving renewable energy development, they also face many challenges.
Jordan, for example, has a wealth of renewable energy resources, including solar, wind, geothermal and bioenergy, as well as state-of-the-art renewable energy laws, regulatory mechanisms and development frameworks.
Earlier this year, Jordan successfully achieved its national roadmap, originally set for 2030, with renewable energy accounting for 31% of total energy.
The Jordanian government also plans to increase this target to 50%, and is committed to building the country into a regional renewable energy development center and exporting environmentally friendly power to neighboring countries to increase the country ’ s foreign revenue.
However, like other Middle Eastern countries, Jordan faces a host of challenges.
These challenges include lagging energy infrastructure, imperfect grid planning, an over-concentration of resources on solar and wind with less focus on geothermal energy, and a lack of energy storage systems and foreign investment.
In addition, there is the debt problem of the national power company.
These difficulties not only affect Jordan ’ s progress in developing renewable energy, but also act as a barrier to modernizing and diversifying the country ’ s economy.
Some Jordanian officials and scholars are concerned about whether the development of renewable energy is progressing as expected.
They are concerned that if the development of renewable energy and its core economic development model are not carried out smoothly, or if the newly set targets are not successfully achieved, the country ’ s economic sustainability will be adversely affected.
At the same time, it can undermine the credibility and governance of the government.
In particular, those political forces that have been opposed to the use of renewable energy to promote economic development and diversification may take the opportunity to launch opposition actions, further endangering the political stability and regional security of the country and the Middle East as a whole.
It is worth noting that these challenges are not only in Jordan, but also in Middle Eastern countries such as Morocco and Egypt.
Other countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have also made great efforts to develop solar and wind power in recent years, but in addition to the above concerns and challenges, there are also concerns that the development of renewable energy will have some impact on the high dependence of these countries ’ economies on oil and gas markets, which may affect existing incomes and lead to economic and social instability.
Other factors include the huge demand for capital, the need for foreign technology and talents, the need for talent training, economic feasibility, etc. These are also issues of concern to the officials of these Middle Eastern countries.
These challenges are in fact a valuable development opportunity for Hong Kong.
The key is to make good use of our strengths, especially in the Belt and Road Initiative, to work with the Middle East countries to promote renewable energy and green economy development.
This not only helps these countries diversify their economies, but also creates development opportunities for Hong Kong businesses and governments, and indirectly promotes the development of other industries.
I suggest that Hong Kong can establish cooperation platforms and channels of communication with transnational organizations in the Middle East and North Africa, such as the Arab Parliamentary Union, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Turkic Parliament and the Arab Maghreb Union.
Such a platform could be used to explore free trade agreements and to help Middle Eastern countries provide services such as finance, advisory, legal, education or training, and energy infrastructure.
This will not only help Hong Kong consolidate its leading position in the professional services sector and the financial sector, but will also directly or indirectly create many development opportunities, especially in Islamic finance.
Finally, Hong Kong can consider providing financial support to the Middle East countries by assisting in the issuance of Islamic financial bonds to promote the development of renewable energy, and can also take the opportunity to develop Islamic finance in Hong Kong as a new financial center outside the Islamic world.
Of course, Hong Kong should not only cooperate with major countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates or the above-mentioned multinational organizations and platforms, but also consider other regions with development potential and worthy of investment, such as Turkey, Azerbaijan, Morocco, etc.
This diverse collaboration will help Hong Kong expand its international presence and contribute to global sustainability in the renewable energy sector.
The author, Mr Kwong Cheuk-rui, is the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Group of Ideas, a Master of Arts from the Australian National University, and has worked at the Australian Institute of International Affairs.
The article is only the opinion of the author and does not represent the position of Hong Kong 01.
Please email us at 01view @ hk01.com.
Please attach the author ’ s real name and contact details.
If not applicable, without prior notice.

This fossil fuel dependence has historically underpinned state revenues, development policies, and international relations.

However, the escalating global climate crisis and commitments enshrined in international accords—such as the Paris Agreement and multilateral climate summits like COP26 and the forthcoming COP28—have accelerated a regional shift toward energy transition.

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Content: New technologies to achieve sustainability goals and address climate change
Science and Technology
Huawei
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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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Middle Eastern countries recognize the necessity to diversify energy sources to mitigate environmental impacts, safeguard economic stability amid fluctuating fossil fuel markets, and meet evolving geopolitical expectations concerning climate change.

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Content: 900 exhibitors showcase their innovations at Middle East Energy in Dubai
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His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), inaugurated yesterday Middle East Energy 2023, the region ’ s leading energy event with over 900 suppliers from around the world showcasing their latest innovations and new technologies to the market.
The 48th edition of the exhibition, which runs until March 9 at the Dubai World Trade Centre and is attended by more than 35,000 energy professionals, will feature an exhibition and three separate conferences, including Intersolar Middle East, the Strategic Conference and Technical Seminars, which explore plans and policies to shape the region ’ s energy sector and inform attendees of its current reality.
During his tour, Al Tayer spoke to a number of leading exhibitors from the region and the world to take a closer look at the latest products and trends in the industry, including Fanar and the German National Pavilion.
Sibylle Bfaff, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Dubai, stressed that Germany has been keen to participate in the Middle East Energy Show for years, and the German pavilion returns with the largest area in the history of the exhibition this year with the participation of 58 companies, reflecting an increase of 20% compared to last year.
She said: “We were delighted that His Excellency Saeed Al Tayer visited our stand, where he was particularly interested in energy efficiency and sustainability in line with the objectives of the UAE Year of Sustainability.
The UAE is our largest trading partner in the region and is a destination for companies looking to do business in the region and looking forward to the opportunities the region offers. ”
Future Expectations
Nicholas Daher, Principal Energy Analyst at The Economist Intelligence, opened the strategic conference by talking about the current state of energy consumption in the region and the world and the outlook for the future: “Fossil fuels in the Middle East and North Africa account for 98% of total energy consumption, with energy demand in the region expected to grow by 1.8% annually, making it the second fastest growing region in the world after Asia.
The Middle East needs to strike a balance between decarbonising efforts and meeting growing energy demand. ”
Change of Directions
At the Intersolar Middle East Conference, Ahmed Nada, President of the Middle East Solar Industry Association, highlighted the rapidly changing energy trends in the Middle East.
“The cost of solar energy was very high decades ago, and landowners across the region did not trust the vision of a world-leading solar ecosystem, as other fuels such as oil and gas were abundant at the time, ” he said.
But things have changed considerably faster than we can imagine, as the Middle East is now poised to make a real contribution to global energy security by replacing existing resources with renewable resources.
“Several countries like Egypt, Algeria, Libya and Turkey are competing to supply Europe with energy, and this cannot be achieved without coordinated efforts and cooperation.
The Middle East will certainly play a key role in enhancing energy security in the future, especially with regard to renewables.
We have also seen a shift in the supply chain away from reliance on China as the sole source, if the COVID-19 crisis teaches us that no single country can take over supply, prompting Europe to invest heavily in production processes while the United States has enough assets and high demand to rely on itself in domestic manufacturing.
The 48th Middle East Energy Show will see the return of the previously successful Global Buyers Programme, bringing together key industry stakeholders, investors and suppliers from around the world by connecting with more than 100 direct procurement influencers.
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The region is seizing the opportunity to align energy policy with sustainable development goals through expansive investments in renewable energy, particularly solar power, given its geographic and climatic advantage.

Solar Potential in the Middle East

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region boasts some of the highest solar irradiation rates worldwide, with annual solar radiation surpassing 2,000 kilowatt-hours per square meter in countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, and Morocco.

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Content: General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
Editor-in-Chief
Thank you for your patience.
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.

This exceptional solar resource presents an almost unparalleled opportunity for cost-effective and large-scale solar energy generation, offering a strategic path to reimagine national energy systems.

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Content: Egypt News
China is the world ’ s top solar power producer with 584.2 TWh
Mohamed Ismail - Cairo - Cairo - A:
The Information and Decision Support Center at the Council of Ministers issued a new analysis highlighting solar energy and its role in the transition towards sustainable energy, as well as the most important international markets in the field of photovoltaic energy, the most important elements of Egypt in the field of solar energy production, and the Egyptian efforts towards localizing the solar panel industry.
Solar energy in Egypt has seen remarkable growth in recent years driven by high demand for clean energy, the achievement of Egypt ’ s 2030 vision to shift towards renewable energy, and the Egyptian state ’ s support for green projects. It is about 7 times more renewable.
The analysis of the center at the beginning dealt with the manufacture of solar energy systems, as it explained that solar cells (photovoltaics) are the main component of solar energy panels, where solar energy is converted into electrical energy, through photovoltaic effect, so that the cell is made of semi-conductive materials, which acquires electrical properties when exposed to light, such as: electric current, resistance, voltage, and the solar cell must also be able to absorb light. And the production of electrons, and the default ages of solar cells of different types range from (10 to 30 years).
Solar cells are generally made of semiconductor materials, for example crystalline silicon, which is extracted from sand processing, and silicon production makes up nearly 90% of the solar cell industry.
According to a recent report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in April on these markets in 2024, the global cumulative capacity of PV has grown to 1.6 terawatts in 2023, compared to 1.2 terawatts in 2022, with 446 gigawatts of PV systems being used in 2023, up from 407.3 gigawatts.
The analysis indicated that PV has played an important role in reducing CO2 emissions from electricity in 2023, with more than 75% of new renewable capacity installed in 2023, and about 60% of generation from new renewable capacity.
China accounted for the largest share of cumulative PV capacity with 43% of total PV capacity globally in 2023, followed by the Asia-Pacific region with 19%, Europe with 18%, and the Americas with 15%.
In terms of the largest countries in solar electricity generation in the world, China was the highest in solar energy production (584.2 terawatt-hours) in 2023, followed by the United States (238.1 terawatt-hours), India (113.4 terawatt-hours) and Japan (109.4 terawatt-hours).
The IEA ’ s latest report, released in June 2024, looks at global energy investments, with global energy investment expected to exceed US $3 trillion for the first time in 2024, of which US $2 trillion is dedicated to clean energy technologies and infrastructure.
Investment in clean energy has accelerated since 2020, and spending on renewable energy is now higher than total spending on oil, gas and coal.
Solar panel costs have fallen by 30% over the past two years, and the prices of metals essential for energy transitions, especially those needed for batteries, have fallen sharply.
The IEA report warns that energy investment flows continue to be disrupted, especially insufficient clean energy investments in emerging markets and developing countries outside China, although there are initial signs of recovery, with clean energy investments expected to approach US $320 billion in 2024, up more than 50% since 2020.
In 2024, the share of global clean energy investment in emerging market economies and developing countries outside China is expected to remain at around 15% of the total, which – both in terms of volume and share – falls far short of what is needed to ensure full access to modern energy and meet growing energy demand in a sustainable manner.
The energy sector ’ s investment in solar PV technology is also expected to exceed US $500 billion in 2024, surpassing all other sources of generation combined, and although growth may slow slightly in 2024 due to lower PV prices, solar remains central to the energy sector ’ s transformation.
The analysis pointed out that Egypt has enormous natural, geographical and economic potentials that make it an ideal destination to become a regional and global center for solar energy production.
The analysis reviewed the most important of these elements: first, the natural resources where Egypt has the potential of solar photovoltaic energy, and is expected to maximize the benefit of natural geography and the potential of local solar energy, in addition to the availability of silicon ore, which is used in the manufacture of solar panels. Fourth, solar energy exploits the promotion of the private sector: the state supports private sector companies in the field of new and renewable energy to enable them to enter strongly into the production of new and renewable energy, through its management and operation.
The competitiveness of Egypt in the field of human resources is its ability to provide skilled and trained workers in the field of manufacturing and production of solar energy, and Egypt is the main regional source of skilled labor in many sectors, including the new and renewable energy sector, especially in light of the adoption of national programs to prepare and train skilled workers.
Sixth, advanced and modern infrastructure: There are many elements in the field of infrastructure in Egypt, where Egypt has achieved unprecedented achievements in the field of infrastructure projects that have contributed to strengthening its regional and international role and making it one of the most important countries in the Middle East and Africa.
The analysis pointed out that within the framework of the Egyptian state ’ s interest in national projects, especially renewable energy projects, the state adopted an integrated and sustainable development strategy until 2035 to support the capacity of the electricity and renewable energy sector, and implement its pledge to reach 42% of renewable energy by 2030 instead of 2035, compared to 20% in 2022.
The analysis highlighted the most important major projects to localize the solar panel industry: the Silicon Production Complex in New Alamein City, comprising four phases, where the detailed feasibility study of the first phase was completed, which aims to produce metallic silicon with a production capacity of 45,000 tons per year, at an investment cost estimated at $172 million, based on ultra-pure Egyptian quartz ore instead of exporting it as a raw material.
The second phase of the project includes the production of intermediate silicon derivatives that enter the industries of insulating materials, construction and construction, rubber, medical uses, and others, while the third phase of the project aims to establish a factory for the production of polysilicon, which enters the manufacture of solar cells and electronics, with a production capacity of about 10 thousand tons annually.
The launch of the Egypt Solar Platform is one of the most important major projects and was launched during the current year, in order to automate and facilitate the installation of small solar plants, and through the platform to identify the follow-up of the installation of "solar power plants" for citizens, individuals and companies, and connect them to the national electricity network through various distribution companies.
The platform was established in cooperation between the New and Renewable Energy Authority, the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company, the Small and Medium Cell Systems Project of the Industrial Modernization Center, and the Electricity Utility and Consumer Protection Regulatory Authority.
ACWA Power ’ s Kom Ombo solar project is one of the most important projects, with a capacity of 200 MW of clean energy that contributes to the reduction of carbon dioxide by 280 thousand tons annually, and meets the needs of about 130 thousand housing units, in addition to the project contains the latest technology of solar panels, in addition to 952 electric reflectors on an area of 4.8 square kilometers.
The project aims to expand the production of clean energy produced, create jobs for young people, contribute to the diversification of electricity sources for citizens, and reduce 2 million tons of carbon emissions annually. The project includes 32 solar plants to generate electricity with a capacity of 1.47 thousand megawatts.
The Cabinet approved the offer of Amia Power, a subsidiary of the UAE ’ s Al Nowais Investment Group, to implement additional renewable energy projects, bringing the total capacity planned to be added from Amia Power ’ s projects before summer 2025 to 2,000 megawatts, including a battery storage system.
The analysis pointed out that Egypt has huge potential in the field of solar energy production thanks to these promising elements; to become a regional and global leader in solar energy production, as well as targeting the Egyptian state ’ s strategy to increase the contribution of renewable energy in the electricity mix, diversify the sources of electricity production, and exploit natural resources, especially new and renewable energy sources.
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Despite these advantages, renewables currently constitute only about 2% of the region's energy mix, which remains heavily reliant on hydrocarbons, accounting for approximately 87%.

The substantial solar potential makes solar energy a cornerstone for decarbonization efforts, energy self-reliance, and regional power market integration.

National Strategies and Projects

Countries across the Middle East have articulated ambitious strategic targets and implemented significant solar projects to harness their solar endowments and meet climate and economic objectives.

Title:

Content: China 's orders surge' in the Middle East, hot money flows to more unicorns
Author: External Submission
Published: Updated:
The market and capital of the Middle East, the market and technology of China, are moving in both directions with enthusiasm.
The front foot of Saudi Arabia has just invested 40 billion in high-tech vehicles, and the rear foot of the United Arab Emirates has invested nearly 8 billion in NIO vehicles.
Why are the two oil giants looking at China's new energy?
Original text published in WeChat public account Ruicheng, Hong Kong 01 authorized to reprint.
Hot money from the Middle East is rushing to China for more unicorns.
Middle East out of money, domestic companies out of the project, what did they invest in?
At the same time, the heat of the Middle East market is also attracting attention.
Qatar Energy has promised to continue delivering liquefied natural gas to China for the next 27 years; China ’ s PV is heading out to the Middle East; and the North Gas Field, regarded as the world ’ s largest single gas field by Qatar, will receive a share in the next expansion project.
Chinese companies and the Middle East cooperation has been discussed one after another, what are the opportunities?
NIO Automotive showcases its automotive products in Wuhan in July 2022 (Getty)
01 Why did the new power of car building become a “hot spot ” for oil-producing countries?
On the evening of June 20, NIO announced that it has signed a share subscription agreement with CYVN Holdings, an Abu Dhabi investment institution. CYVN Holdings will make a total strategic investment of about US $1.1 billion (about 7.9 billion RMB) through the targeted issuance of new shares and the transfer of old shares.
What is CYVN Holdings?
It is a majority-owned investment institution by the Abu Dhabi government.
The Chairman of the Authority is the Minister of Finance of Abu Dhabi, and also serves as Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Central Bank, Vice Chairman of the Sovereign Fund ADQ, and Director of the Sovereign Fund ADIA and the oil company ADNOC.
As we all know, Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accounting for 86% of the country's total area and 42% of the total population.
Therefore, CYVN Holdings' investment in NIO can be seen as a direct result of the UAE national team, which is an investment with a strong official color.
It means that the UAE believes in our electric vehicle enterprises in China and is optimistic about our development prospects in the field of new energy.
This is the second time in nearly half a month that Middle Eastern countries have extended an olive branch to Chinese new energy vehicle companies.
On June 11, the Saudi Ministry of Investment and China Express signed an agreement worth 21 billion Saudi riyals (about 40 billion RMB) to establish a joint venture in the development, manufacturing and sales of automobiles.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two Middle East oil-producing countries, are clearly the biggest winners in the era of fuel vehicles, why invest a lot of money in new energy vehicles?
UAE: A flag of the United Arab Emirates flies in the wind on a boat at a Dubai pier on May 22, 2015. (Reuters)
There are two main reasons:
First, the resource curse crisis.
Oil reserves are capped, there is always a day to dig out.
Moreover, the current world energy landscape is also quietly changing, zero carbon background, countries are looking for cleaner solutions, shale gas, solar energy, hydrogen energy and many other energy technologies are continuing to develop.
This may further break the monopoly of the Middle Eastern countries in oil.
Therefore, it is only natural for the Middle East to consider economic restructuring in advance and avoid being abandoned by the times.
Today, most Middle Eastern countries, whether oil producers or non-oil producers, will develop a green economy, develop new energy and renewable energy as the basic strategy of national sustainable development.
For example, the UAE proposed its Energy Strategy 2050 as early as 2017.
In this context, new energy vehicles have naturally become a new investment hotspot and economic growth point for the Middle East market, especially Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Second, China has significant advantages in the field of new energy vehicles.
At present, China is the world's largest new energy vehicle market, whether it is technology, product or supply chain maturity, in the global context, have a prominent influence.
China has many new energy vehicle companies, global power battery leaders, intensive energy supply network, mature new energy vehicle industry chain, the competition has become white-hot intelligent cockpit and automatic driving technology... and these have also created China's new energy vehicles outstanding cost-performance ratio.
Therefore, whether it is investing in Chinese new energy vehicle companies, or introducing Chinese new energy vehicle brands, it is a valuable and potential option for investors in the Middle East.
02 Middle East Capital Flows to China ’ s Unicorn
The Middle East has capital, China has technology and market, such a scenario is not only in the new energy vehicle industry.
In other areas of China, money is pouring in from the Middle East as well.
At the just-held “China-Arab Entrepreneurs Summit ”, Hong Kong Stock Exchange CEO Au Guansheng said that by 2030, the investment capital of the Middle East sovereign fund is expected to increase to 10 trillion US dollars, by which time, more than 10-20%, or 1-2 trillion US dollars of investment, will be invested in China.
Chinese venture capital firms are receiving money from the Middle East.
What kind of investment and opportunities in China do Middle East investors prefer?
Among the top 10 sovereign wealth funds in the world, the Middle East countries occupy four seats.
According to research by alternative asset research organization Preqin, as of 2022, the total asset management scale of sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East reached 3.64 trillion US dollars, accounting for one-third of the total global sovereign wealth funds.
From the public data, it can be seen that since the beginning of 2023, capital from the Middle East is flowing into China, with special attention to cutting-edge technology, biopharmaceuticals, new consumer trends and other areas.
For example, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, the largest country in the Middle East, submitted a QFII (Qualified Foreign Investor) application to the China Securities and Futures Commission at the end of 2021, and by February 2022, its Hong Kong office had opened.
Previously, PIF has been investing frequently in China.
According to incomplete statistics of the Sovereign Wealth Fund “Saudi Model ”: Globalization and Localization of PIF, published by Gao Hao, director of the Global Family Enterprise Research Center of the School of Wudaokou Finance of Tsinghua University, PIF ’ s total overseas equity investment in 2017-2021 was about US $60.8 billion, of which the total investment in China was about US $12.2 billion, accounting for 20%.
In terms of industry distribution, there are 13 equity investments in China (including additional investment), 4 investments in online education (3 assignments, 1 head to 1), 4 investments in the Internet (1 Little Red Book, 1 word of mouth, 2 road trips), 2 investments in software services (Keep 1, 1 truck), and 1 investment in commercial real estate (WeWork). One pen goes to medical and health care (Ping An Good Doctor) and one pen goes to retail (melon seeds used car).
More recently, there has been a larger flow of money between the Middle East and China.
According to media reports, on the first day of the China-Argentina Entrepreneurs Summit, investment agreements worth 10 billion US dollars (about 71.6 billion yuan) were signed, covering more than 30 industries, including technology, renewable energy, agriculture, real estate, minerals, supply chain, tourism and healthcare.
Outside of the summit, investments continue to take place, such as in late May, when Saudi Aramid-backed venture capital firm Prosperity7 announced that it was investing “tens of millions of yuan ” in Shanghai-based driver-assistance technology startup Hyperview.
In addition to Saudi Arabia, the UAE is also investing heavily in China.
In May this year, the UAE hosted a conference specifically for Chinese entrepreneurs.
According to the country ’ s state media, the country hosted China ’ s “top 50 unicorns ” (startups valued at more than $1 billion) and launched a“ secret Arab-Chinese unicorns investment conference. ”
This is a win-win cooperation.
Over the past few years, governments across the Middle East have announced plans to invest heavily in reshaping their economies to achieve sustainable growth in the future.
Being deeply involved in the transformation of the Middle East is an opportunity that all countries want to fight for, and Chinese companies with valuable infrastructure and manufacturing technologies are naturally among them.
For the Middle East countries, China has technology and a market, and cooperation with China is also one of the key driving forces for the successful transformation of the Middle East countries.
A clear trend is that, based on the strategic planning of the Middle East countries themselves, there is more and more investment in China to meet the needs of the industry.
Many Middle East LPs want to drive local industry development through investment and economic transformation.
Industrial investment has become a "two-way drive" between China and the Middle East.
Xi Jinping and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed meet in Riyadh, Saudi capital, in December 2022 (Reuters)
03 Outbound Middle East Heat
At the same time that the capital of the Middle East looks to the "East", the Middle East has become a popular area for Chinese companies to go overseas.
For example, when Europe and the United States began another round of strikes on Chinese PV, Chinese PV companies set their eyes on the Middle East market, which is opening its enthusiastic arms to us.
According to InfoLink data, in 2022, the Middle East imported 11.4 GW of PV modules from China, an increase of 78% compared to 2021.
In the past, the import of components in the Middle East market was mainly Pakistan and Israel, while in 2022, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia saw significant growth.
Saudi Arabia ’ s imports from China increased tenfold in 2022 compared to 2021, while the UAE grew by 340% year-on-year in 2022, making it the largest component customer in the Middle East.
Moreover, it is not only the supply of components, Chinese photovoltaic companies have been on the move, directly to the Middle East, to strive for the development of photovoltaic solar independent power generation projects in the Middle East.
As mentioned above, on June 11, the first day of the China-Argentina Entrepreneurs Summit, the two countries signed an investment agreement worth $10 billion, which covers the renewable energy sector.
This is a great market opportunity for Chinese photovoltaic companies.
According to the Middle East Photovoltaic Industry Association (MESIA), the low-carbon energy industry in the Middle East and North Africa region will be worth $257 billion by 2030.
Among them, PV accounts for 50% of the project value, which means that the Middle East PV market is nearly trillion.
Opportunities in the Middle East market are not only in the photovoltaic sector, in the case of Saudi Arabia, there are also other rich opportunities in a number of technology sectors, including energy technology.
Examples include new digital infrastructure such as data centers, supply chain solutions for consumer goods, and fintech.
Of course, the rich Middle East is a hot land and a jungle, with countless opportunities and brutal competition.
For example, in addition to establishing cooperative relationships with local companies, enterprises must also build their own teams in the local area, such as the maintenance of relations with the government.
In short, do the brand well or do the local scarce supply chain, but either way, it takes time to accumulate.
Going to the Middle East also requires long-termism.

Saudi Arabia aims to increase renewable energy to constitute 50% of its energy mix by 2030 under the landmark Vision 2030 plan.

Title:

Content: People 's Network > > International
Sino-Arab green transformation cooperation is on the rise
December 8, 2022, 13: 09 | Source: Xinhua Network
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Xinhua News Agency, BEIJING, December 8 (International observation) Sino-Arab cooperation on green transformation is on the rise
Xinhua News Agency reporter Luo Guofang
China and Arab countries have different resource endowments and development paths, but they are in the key stage of green development transformation.
The pursuit of a common vision of sustainable development will push China and Argentina to move forward together in a cleaner, greener and low-carbon direction, and continuously deepen cooperation in related fields to benefit the people of China and Argentina.
Development Complementary Advantages
At present, China's development is changing from high-speed growth to high-quality development, and it is committed to energy transformation and clean development in the field of energy, and strives to build a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system.
At the same time, many Arab countries have also launched energy transformation plans in recent years, committed to the development of clean and renewable energy, and strive to reduce dependence on fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas, and promote sustainable economic development.
Saudi Arabia announced in its Vision 2030 development strategy that by 2030, the proportion of renewable energy in the country's energy mix will reach 50%.
The UAE ’ s Energy Strategy 2050 aims to increase the share of clean energy in the total energy mix to 50% by 2050.
Egypt plans to increase the share of clean energy generation to 40% by 2035.
The Arab region has one of the best solar and wind energy resource endowments in the world, and the development of clean and renewable energy has unique conditions.
According to a report released by the Global Energy Monitor in June this year, Arab countries in the Middle East and North Africa plan to add 73 gigawatts of utility-scale solar and wind capacity by 2030, more than five times the current installed capacity.
China has advanced technology and rich experience in the field of photovoltaic and wind power, and has complementary advantages with Arab countries in the field of clean and renewable energy.
Abu Dhabi Energy Director, Avida Murshid Maral, said that vigorously developing renewable energy has become a global trend, which creates a good opportunity for deepening Arab-Chinese energy cooperation.
Collaborating for a Green Transition
In recent years, China has actively expanded cooperation with Arab countries in the field of clean and renewable energy, and the two sides have jointly implemented a number of cooperation projects.
The Zafra Solar Power Station, about 35 kilometers from Abu Dhabi City, is the largest single photovoltaic power station in the world, with an installed capacity of 2 GW.
The solar power plant, which is contracted by a Chinese company, will help Abu Dhabi reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2.4 million tons per year and play an important role in the sustainable development of the UAE's energy economy.
Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast is creating a green new city, the project called the Red Sea New City, the future electricity supply will be 100% from clean energy.
The realization of this vision will not only rely on solar and wind energy, but also benefit from energy storage systems that can act as energy “cisterns ” and“ regulators, stabilizers ”.
The successful signing of the Red Sea New City energy storage project by Chinese enterprises will help Saudi Arabia to build a global clean energy and green economy center.
Abdullah Wadi, a researcher at the Saudi think tank Research and Knowledge Exchange Center, said that Saudi Arabia and China are committed to vigorously developing clean and renewable energy, and actively promoting relevant international cooperation, which has set a good example for the international community to work together to promote green and low-carbon development and jointly deal with various challenges and global issues facing mankind.
Helping Fishing Development
With the deepening of cooperation between China and Arab countries in clean energy, low-carbon economy and energy transition, China ’ s advanced technology in related fields has also entered Arab countries. China adheres to the concept of “teaching people to fish ” and helps Arab countries improve their independent development capabilities through multi-level cooperative research and training programs.
China and Arab countries jointly set up the China-Arab Clean Energy Training Center to jointly organize capacity-building activities in photovoltaic, solar thermal, wind power and smart grid.
China and Egypt have set up a Sino-Egyptian joint laboratory on renewable energy to carry out joint research, promote personnel training, and help Egypt strengthen scientific and technological capacity building.
Since its establishment in 2015, the China-Arab Technology Transfer Center has built eight bilateral technology transfer centers in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and other countries, forming a technology transfer cooperation network linking nearly 5,000 Chinese and foreign members.
“The development of zero-carbon and low-carbon energy technologies is of great significance.
These technologies align with our energy transition goals, make the energy industry more resilient and help us build a sustainable and peaceful future, ” said Maral.
(Editor: Jia Wenting, Liu Jieyan)
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Although concrete operational solar capacity figures are evolving rapidly, national projects like the Red Sea Green City—a fully renewable-powered mega-development—signal major investments.

The Kingdom integrates solar with wind and energy storage technologies to ensure grid reliability.

Title:

Content: Middle East Climate Week looks at renewable energy transition and carbon reduction
During a panel discussion focused on the Kingdom ’ s high energy and efficiency records
The “Middle East and North Africa Climate Week 2023 ”, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in coordination and cooperation with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat, discussed on the third day the transition of renewable energy and the reduction of carbon emissions.
The panel discussion, entitled “Accelerating the Transition of Renewable Energy and Reducing Carbon Emissions ”, tackled carbon emissions mitigation and climate change, and the programs and initiatives adopted by the Kingdom to address climate change.
The speakers – Senior Sustainability Advisor to the Minister of Energy, Chief Negotiator of the Kingdom ’ s Climate Agreements, Dr. Khalid Al Meheid, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy for Electricity Nasser Al Qahtani, SPPC CEO Mazen Al Bahkali, ACWA Power ’ s Vice Chairman and Managing Director Raad Al Saadi, and Saudi Energy Efficiency Center General Manager Nasser Al Ghamdi – discussed the objectives of the Kingdom ’ s energy programs, priorities, needs, resources and funding sources. and current solutions.
They addressed the Kingdom ’ s high energy and efficiency records, touching on hydrogen from manufacturing to strengthening regional and international supply chains, pointing to the vast areas that enable solar and wind energy projects and clean energy exports with international connectivity.
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Saudi Arabia also benefits from international partnerships; notably, Chinese firms are engaged in constructing facilities like the 2 GW Zafra Solar Power Station near Abu Dhabi, underscoring a regional emphasis on cross-border collaboration and clean energy export potential.

While specific installed solar capacity is not comprehensively reported yet, aggressive targets and multiple ongoing projects indicate a fast-scaling capacity trajectory.

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Content: MUSCAT: Renewable capacity expansion in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is projected to grow three-fold over the next five years (2023 – 2028), with the Sultanate of Oman ranked among the front-runners in driving this growth. According to a new report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), Oman’s renewables capacity growth is set to be the fourth largest in the region after Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Morocco.

These countries will account for the lion’s share of the 62 gigawatt (GW) increase in renewables capacity anticipated in the region by 2028, the Paris-based intergovernmental agency noted in its newly published report. “Over the next five years, the pace of growth is expected to accelerate to more than three times the previous five-year period, with solar PV making up over 85 per cent of the increase. Onshore wind and concentrated solar power also contribute,” said the IEA in its report, titled ‘Renewables 2023: Analysis and forecast to 2028’.

Driving much of this growth will be efforts by individual countries to decarbonize their electricity generation, but green hydrogen production is set to play a major role as well, according to the report. This is particularly the case in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman, it pointed out. “In fact, hydrogen accounts for more than 13 per cent of the region’s renewable capacity growth thanks to government policies to stimulate development for trade. Good solar resources, land availability and existing port infrastructure create favourable conditions for economically attractive renewable hydrogen to be shipped to demand centres in Europe and Asia,” the agency further stated.

Additionally, the report reaffirmed Oman’s positioning among the world’s top exporters of renewable hydrogen. It said: “By 2028, potential export countries could account for over one-fifth of hydrogen-driven renewable capacity deployment, led by Saudi Arabia, Australia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. With the prospect of producing economically attractive renewable hydrogen to ship to potential demand centres in Europe and Asia, these countries aim to become major exporters of renewable hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels.”

A revised Renewable Energy Plan enshrined in Oman’s 2040 Vision seeks to secure 16 per cent of electricity from renewables by 2025, rising to 30 per cent by 2030. Clean energy capacity is projected to rise to 2.6 GW by 2025 under the National Energy Master Plan. Supplementing this strategy is a commitment to embracing green hydrogen to, on the one hand, decarbonise the economy, and on the other to evolve into a major producer and exporter of renewable hydrogen. Green hydrogen output is targeted at around 1 million tonnes per annum by 2030.

2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

The UAE presents one of the most advanced and diversified renewable energy frameworks in the region.

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Content: In a speech entitled "What we bring to COP28 at the World Government Summit 2023"
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: During the second day of the World Government Summit 2023, His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), highlighted Dubai ’ s efforts to tackle the challenges of climate change in the presence of dignitaries and officials from the public and private sectors from around the world.
At the beginning of his speech, HE Al Tayer stressed that the World Government Summit has become a global event on the agenda of global events and a comprehensive knowledge platform to foresee and make the future. He expressed his happiness that Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) will be the “Sustainable Energy Partner ” for the summit, which will be held under the theme“ Shaping Future Governments ”.
Support for good leadership
H.E. Al Tayer said: “With the vision, guidance and support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE is preparing to host the largest international climate action event, the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at Expo City. ” Dubai this year, and will continue this cycle, by strengthening the work with all parties and partners, building on the results and outputs of previous sessions.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has declared 2023 as the year of sustainability in the UAE under the slogan "Today for tomorrow", which confirms the great importance attached by the wise leadership to achieving a balance between development and environmental sustainability, which was established by the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The UAE is among the largest countries in the world investing in clean and renewable energy projects. ”
Al Tayer explained that the UAE was the first country in the Middle East and North Africa region to launch a strategic initiative to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
DEWA promotes sustainability, innovation and future-making leadership in all its projects and initiatives to achieve the objectives of Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Dubai Carbon Neutral Strategy 2050 to provide 100% clean energy by 2050, focusing on innovation, Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, digital transformation and circular economy as key enablers of sustainability.
DEWA ’ s strategy is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and has identified three key levels according to the priority objectives for DEWA.
“As part of our efforts to support global efforts to combat climate change, the Cabinet approved the UAE ’ s accession to the Global Green Economy Alliance, led by the World Green Economy Organization, which aims to launch programs, projects and initiatives related to the green economy, create a model for sustainable financing and establish partnerships for developing countries to achieve an effective transition to a green economy.
We have built innovation into the ecosystem, established a research and development center and an innovation center to find effective solutions to climate change through reducing carbon emissions, and launched a number of projects in the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world under the Independent Producer system, at a cost of up to AED 50 billion.
When completed, the complex will contribute to reducing more than 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
Its clean energy capacity has reached 2,027 megawatts, with Dubai ’ s clean energy capacity accounting for about 14% of total electricity capacity.
At the complex, we use the latest bifacial solar PV technology, with a uniaxial solar tracking system, and clean it with robots, which has raised solar energy efficiency from 11% previously to about 27% today. ”
Pioneering projects in clean energy
Al Tayer pointed out that solar energy depends on the state of the climate, but it is not available during the night time, hence the urgent need to find ways to store solar energy and ensure it around the clock. The Authority launched a number of initiatives and projects in the field of energy storage. The equivalent of the largest solar energy storage capacity in the world for 15 hours.
DEWA is also implementing a 250MW Pumping and Storage Hydroelectric Plant in Hatta, the first of its kind in the Gulf region, which will produce electricity using the water stored in the Hatta Dam, with a storage capacity of 1,500 MWh.
Due to the importance of green hydrogen in the transition to carbon neutrality, DEWA has implemented the Green Hydrogen project in the complex, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa to produce green hydrogen using solar energy, store it and then convert it to electricity in addition to other uses in the sectors of air transport, land, marine and industry.
The Authority is also preparing a roadmap for a green hydrogen strategy to be implemented in stages.
It also launched a pilot project at the complex to store energy using lithium-ion batteries and sulphur sodium batteries for energy storage.
Al Tayer added: “We have established an energy services company to enhance energy efficiency in Dubai and have successfully rehabilitated nearly 8,000 existing buildings in Dubai.
We have also encouraged Shams Dubai customers to install rooftop solar PV panels in their buildings and facilities to meet part of their energy needs, and by the end of 2022, the total installed capacity of the initiative has reached 500 megawatts.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) co-founded the world ’ s largest district cooling company, with district cooling reducing more than 40% of cooling energy consumption.
To stimulate green mobility, we have launched the Green Charger initiative, to create an advanced electric vehicle infrastructure that currently includes around 350 charging stations that adopt the latest smart and innovative technologies to provide a seamless experience for users.
The implementation of the Dubai Energy and Water Demand Management Strategy has reduced Dubai ’ s electricity consumption by 17 per cent per capita and water consumption by 21 per cent per capita compared to 2010.
More than 14 million tonnes of carbon emissions were avoided between 2011 and 2021.
To enhance the efficiency and operational effectiveness of electricity and water networks and digital transformation, we have launched the DEWA SAT-1 nanosatellite as part of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (SpaceD) program. This year, we will launch the DEWA SAT-2 nanosatellite, the first service organization in the world to use nanosatellites in its operations.
We also leverage big data through sensors distributed in solar power plants to collect and analyze real-time data in conjunction with satellite data.
Support for innovation
His Excellency Al Tayer continued: “Inspired by the inspirational words of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, may God protect him, ‘ The future belongs to those who can imagine, design and implement it ’ and included them in the three main stages of the Authority ’ s Innovation and Future Making Framework, to become the first government entity to include His Highness ’ s words in its innovation and future making framework. ”...
As part of DEWA Digital, the digital arm of DEWA, we are redefining the concept of service enterprises and contributing to a new digital future for the Emirate of Dubai. DEWA Digital is based on four pillars: launching advanced solar technologies, operating a renewable energy network using innovative storage technologies, expanding the use of artificial intelligence solutions and providing digital services that serve smart sustainable cities while ensuring their security and continuity in cyberspace.
Given the importance of data as a driver of sustainable economic expansion and diversification, we have launched the world ’ s largest green, carbon-neutral, 100% solar-powered data center by Guinness World Records, implemented by Dewa Digital ’ s data center company Moro at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
We have more than 150 local and international partners and customers in the field of sustainability and smart adoption of customer services, which reached 99% and the development of the latest disruptive technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The Authority maintained its first position among global service organizations in the Digital Maturity Report 2022 issued by a global consultancy. ”
As part of the digital transformation, DEWA has launched its virtual employee, Rammas, who is based on artificial intelligence as part of its strategy to employ artificial intelligence technologies in all its operations and services. Rammas answered more than 6.8 million inquiries from customers since its launch in the first quarter of 2017 until the end of December 2022.
RMAS encourages customers to use smart channels and reduce the number of visits to the Authority ’ s Customer Happiness Centers.
DEWA scored 98% in the Dubai Government ’ s Instantaneous Happiness Index, which is measured by the Dubai Digital Authority.
H.E. Al Tayer pointed out that DEWA has launched a smart grid strategy with a total investment of AED 7 billion until 2035, to provide advanced features including improved operations, asset management, smart meters, innovative value-added services, enhancing the experience of stakeholders and enhancing their happiness. DEWA also succeeded in reducing the loss of electricity transmission and distribution networks in Dubai to 2.2%, and the loss of water transmission and distribution networks to 4.5%. A minute.
At the production plants, it succeeded in achieving an optimal fuel utilization rate of 90%.
HE Al Tayer concluded by saying: “With the increasing challenges associated with climate change, the importance of serious global cooperation to combat it and redouble efforts to ensure the preservation of the environment and natural resources and the continuation of sustainable economic growth to achieve the vision of the wise leadership in advancing the global sustainability agenda and stimulate sustainable development. A brighter and more sustainable future for us and our future generations. ”
A new initiative
At the end of His Excellency Saeed Al Tayer ’ s speech, Ramas, the employee of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), announced that DEWA is working to enrich its services with ChatGPT technology in cooperation with Microsoft International, thus becoming the first service institution in the world and the first government institution in the UAE to use this technology, as part of its continuous efforts to enhance its leadership locally and globally.
# Company Data
- Done.

It has committed to achieving 50% clean energy by 2050 and invests heavily—over $163 billion planned until 2050—in renewable infrastructure and innovation.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park in Dubai aims for 5 GW capacity and represents one of the world’s largest solar power plants.

Title:

Content: World Future Energy Summit to focus on providing ‘sustainability blueprint’

The three-day event will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from January 16 to January 18

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The 2023 World Future Energy Summit aims to provide a “crucial sustainability blueprint” amid a global focus on the energy transition and measures to boost investment in the renewables sector.

Energy industry leaders and policymakers from around the world will participate in the three-day event at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from January 16 to January 18, organisers said on Wednesday.

The summit is the centrepiece of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, a global initiative championed by the UAE and Abu Dhabi's clean energy company Masdar to hasten sustainable development and advance economic, social, and environmental progress.

“This event has evolved just as the energy sector and our economies are transitioning,” said Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

“It has now morphed into the Middle East’s most important industry gathering, of which clean energy and infrastructure are key components.”

Countries in the Middle East such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman and Egypt are boosting investment in the clean energy sector.

The UAE is investing Dh600 billion ($163.5bn) in clean and renewable energy projects over the next three decades as it aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

It is building the world’s largest solar plant with a capacity of two gigawatts in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region that is expected to be ready next year, as well as the Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park in Dubai with a capacity of five gigawatts.

Saudi Arabia, the Arab world’s largest economy, also announced a number of new renewable energy projects as it seeks to become carbon neutral by 2060.

Egypt, the most populous country in the Arab world, aims to derive 42 per cent of its electricity mix from renewable sources by 2035. The North African country is hosting Cop27 next month.

“This newly transitioned event profile is in the right place at the right time, underlining a much-needed shift towards reaching our clean energy goals, as well as achieving sustainable governance and adopting consumption and [the] production of natural energy methods that ensure the quality of life for current and future generations,” Mr Al Mazrouei said.

Renewable energy investment continued to rise amid green transition efforts globally. Capital investments in renewables are set to surpass oil and gas spending for the first time in 2022 as high power prices prompt countries to further diversify their energy mix, according to a report by Rystad Energy.

Investment in renewable energy is set to hit $494bn in 2022, outstripping upstream oil and gas spending at $446bn for the year, the Oslo-based energy consultancy said this month.

In addition to the focus on energy, water, eco-waste, solar, smart cities, climate and the environment, next year's event will also preside over the launch of a dedicated hydrogen innovation centre as demand for the clean fuel picks up globally amid green transition efforts, organisers said.

The event takes place at a time when the UAE is preparing to host Cop28 next year.

Updated: October 19, 2022, 10:41 AM
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The Al Dhafra Solar Plant, currently under construction near Abu Dhabi, is set to add an additional 2 GW.

As of recent reports, the UAE already reported more than 2 GW of clean energy capacity, with rooftop solar installations exceeding 500 MW by 2022.

Masdar, the UAE’s renewable energy company, has significantly expanded capacity through partnerships with energy giants like Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

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Content: Energy transition provides opportunity to transform, diversify economy: Sultan Al Jaber

Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Special Envoy for Climate Change.

Globally, at least $3 trillion will be invested in renewable energy over the next ten years.

By WAM

Published: Tue 18 Jan 2022, 11:12 PM

Last updated: Tue 18 Jan 2022, 11:15 PM

The UAE sees the energy transition as an opportunity to transform and diversify the economic growth model of the country, according to Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Special Envoy for Climate Change.

Speaking during a virtual panel session titled ‘Projecting COP Ambitions across COP27 and COP28 and Economic Diversification Priorities Post-pandemic’ at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), Dr. Al Jaber explained how the UAE and the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region can take advantage of the drive to climate action.

Al Jaber was speaking alongside the Alok Sharma MP, President of COP26, and Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt and President-Designate of COP27, during the session moderated by Fred Kempe, President and CEO of the Atlantic Council.

Al Jaber said, “This region has specific advantages that can accelerate the energy transition from our position as energy leaders. Firstly, as long as the world continues to rely on oil and gas we can ensure reliable supplies of the least carbon intensive oil and gas available. We are leveraging this position to further drive down the carbon intensity through expansion of the first in the region carbon capture facility.

“We are also building on our unique capabilities in hydrogen to lay the foundation for a zero carbon hydrogen market. And, as you know, the UAE has been investing in the solar and broader renewable space for the last 15 years, and we are doubling down on this investment.”

Al Jaber pointed out that globally, at least $3 trillion will be invested in renewable energy over the next ten years. He said this represents a multi-trillion dollar opportunity that the UAE, the region and its international partners can capitalise on. “In fact, this is the thinking behind our Net Zero Strategic Initiative. Net zero, for us, is about new industries, new skills and new jobs. For us, the business of tackling climate change is simply good business.”

Dr Al Jaber cited the recent strategic partnership between Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (Taqa), Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) which transformed Masdar into a global clean energy powerhouse.

He said the new Masdar has almost doubled its renewable energy capacity and the ambition is to build on this solid foundation to reach 100 gigawatts (GW). Al Jaber called for partners, in the public and private sectors, to join the UAE and Masdar in delivering these ambitious goals that will lead to new industries, new skills, new jobs and new opportunities.

Responding to a question on the outcome of COP26 (the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference), Dr. Al Jaber noted it was a success as Glasgow united 90 per cent of the world’s economy on the path to net zero. “COP 26 also succeeded in launching many coalitions between governments and businesses to accelerate innovation. AIM for Climate, which the UAE launched with the US and 34 other countries is a good example. This is a growing coalition that directs investment to agri-tech to reduce agricultural emissions, which account for as much a third of global emissions. And critically COP26 finally reached a deal on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which lays the foundation for effective carbon markets. All of this creates great momentum and a great platform which Egypt and the UAE can, and will, build on.”

On COP28 which is set to take place in Abu Dhabi in 2023, Al Jaber highlighted that it will mark the first ever global stocktake that will show us how we are tracking towards the Paris goals and, critically, it will set the roadmap towards 2030 and beyond. He added that the UAE is already working closely with the UK and Egypt to continue the momentum of COP26 and went on to detail the UAE’s approach to COP28.

“We want Abu Dhabi to be where the world turn pledges into concrete results and help take commercially viable climate solutions to scale around the world. This is why we want COP 28 to be as inclusive as possible, reflecting the views of developed alongside developing countries, the public and private sectors and scientists and civil society.”

“Inclusive also means including the expertise that exists across the energy spectrum, and specifically the hydrocarbon industry, because if we want to successfully transition to the energy system of tomorrow, we cannot simply unplug from the energy system of today. We need to make the current system work more efficiently with less carbon. We should leverage expertise from across the energy sector to find the climate solutions we need,” said Al Jaber as he stressed the need to always remember that the goal is to hold back emissions, not progress. — Wam

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These projects are supported by ambitious policy frameworks targeting net zero emissions and innovations in green hydrogen and energy storage.

Egypt has made striking progress with its solar energy sector.

The Benban Solar Park, comprising around 1.8 GW capacity, stands as one of Africa's largest solar installations.

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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.

Additionally, Kom Ombo solar project adds 200 MW, and 32 other solar plants collectively contribute approximately 1.47 GW.

Egypt's renewable energy share target is 42% of electricity by 2030, up from a prior 40% 2035 target, reflecting accelerated ambitions.

The country plans another 2 GW expansion in renewable capacity, supported by programs to develop localized solar manufacturing capabilities, including silicon and panel production.

Egypt is also spearheading cross-national projects such as the GREGY subsea interconnector—a 1,400-kilometer electricity cable linking Egypt to Greece, aiming to channel 3,000 MW of renewable power to European grids, thereby positioning the country as a regional renewable energy hub.

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Content: Egypt’s Ambitious Subsea Cable to Fuel Europe’s Green Energy Transition

In a groundbreaking move set to reshape the energy landscape, Egypt is poised to bolster its own energy infrastructure while propelling Europe towards a cleaner, greener future. The ambitious endeavor, known as the GREGY interconnector, seeks to create a pioneering subsea electricity cable linking Egyptian solar facilities to the European energy market via Greece. This project, gaining significant traction during discussions between Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Greek counterpart at the recent UN General Assembly, marks a critical stride in reducing Europe’s dependency on fossil fuels.

The visionary GREGY interconnector initiative is spearheaded by the Copelouzos Group, a prominent Greek conglomerate, in collaboration with Infinity Power, a joint venture between UAE-based renewable energy firm Masdar and Egyptian company Infinity. The proposed subsea power cable, stretching approximately 1,400 kilometers, is poised to transmit a formidable 3,000 MW of solar and wind energy generated by Infinity Power to Greece and, subsequently, the broader European market.

Carlos Torres, the Head of Gas and Power Markets Research at consulting firm Rystad Energy, underscores the immense potential the GREGY interconnector presents for Europe. He highlights Egypt’s strategic geographical advantage and superior solar energy potential, offering an ideal backdrop for the development of solar systems, unlike many European nations. A 2020 World Bank study corroborated this assertion, singling out Egypt, alongside other Middle Eastern and North African countries, as possessing the world’s greatest solar energy potential.

Europe’s fervent quest to curtail its reliance on fossil fuels, further exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and energy security concerns stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has been well-documented. Meanwhile, Egypt grapples with its own energy challenges, as demonstrated by a series of debilitating blackouts during the summer—an unfortunate consequence of years of insufficient investment in energy infrastructure to accommodate its burgeoning population.

Notwithstanding these hurdles, Egypt remains resolute in its pursuit of various energy projects, including the construction of its inaugural nuclear power station. Torres posits that these endeavors are anticipated to fortify Egypt’s position, ensuring it can satisfy domestic energy demands while simultaneously exporting surplus power.

The GREGY interconnector initiative forms a part of a broader strategy to interlink North Africa with Europe. Two subsea cables transmitting electricity between Morocco and Spain are already operational, with several other projects in the planning stages, including propositions to deliver power from Tunisia to Italy.

Noteworthy is the fact that, should the GREGY interconnector come to fruition, it would outstrip all existing subsea transmission lines in terms of length, nearly doubling the size of the present record holder—an undersea link recently completed between Denmark and Britain. While longer than most existing interconnectors, the GREGY project adopts a more pragmatic approach, transporting electrons generated in Egypt to the closest point on the European mainland, thus ensuring a more efficient power supply to other European nations.

In contrast, the alternative project, conceived by UK-based start-up Xlinks, envisions an undersea cable spanning a staggering 3,800 kilometers along the western edge of Europe. Such extensive distances can lead to significant energy losses during transmission, even with recent technological advancements aimed at mitigating these losses.

Conversely, the GREGY interconnector adopts a more streamlined approach by transporting electrons generated in Egypt to the nearest point on the European mainland, guaranteeing a more efficient and reliable power supply to other European countries.

As developers explore diverse strategies to tap into North Africa’s abundant solar resources, it becomes evident that these resources will remain a central focus for energy-hungry European governments in their quest for green alternatives to Russian gas. Carlos Torres predicts an upsurge in high-voltage, long-distance connections in the near future, further solidifying the ties between Europe and regions boasting substantial renewable energy potential.

The GREGY interconnector, championed by Egypt and Greece, marks a momentous stride towards sustainable energy collaboration and European energy diversification, paving the way for a greener and more resilient energy future for both Egypt and Europe.

Jordan has surpassed its renewable target early by reaching approximately 31% renewable electricity by 2023, with plans to increase to 50%.

It has steadily expanded solar and wind generation backed by government incentives and financial facilities promoting investment and reducing electricity costs.

Title:

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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Jordan is developing capabilities to export clean power regionally but faces infrastructural challenges related to grid modernization and energy storage.

Morocco, regarded as a renewable energy leader in Africa, has made substantial solar investments complementing a renewable share approaching 40%.

Exact operational solar capacity data is limited but Morocco’s Noor Solar Complex and other projects have contributed significantly to the region’s energy transition dynamics.

Lebanon, despite economic and political hurdles, has installed over 1,500 MW of solar capacity as of mid-2024—with ambitions to reach 3,000 MW solar and 1,000 MW wind by 2030.

Government drives to reduce fossil fuel subsidies and support solar water heating and hydroelectric projects have underpinned this growth.

Solar power production costs range around 6 to 7 US cents per kilowatt-hour, cheaper than private diesel generators, improving cost competitiveness and local energy access.

Title:

Content: World News
Clean Energy Middle East Exhibition and Conference Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony of the third edition of the Middle East Clean Energy Conference and Exhibition, a conference and exhibition dedicated to clean and renewable energy, showcasing the latest technologies, as well as a range of related solutions and services.
Dealers display their commercial goods in terms of inverters, panels, batteries, solar programs and heaters, and project finance.
It will last until May 10, 2024 at the Venice Hotel, Beirut.
The first session of the conference and exhibition was held under the title: "National Policy for the Energy Sector", in which Minister of Energy and Water Walid Fayyad participated.
In a related context, the Director General of EDL, Kamal Hayek, reviewed the reality of the institution after the explosion of August 4, the national emergency plans approved by the government to promote the electricity sector, and the decisions of the Board of Directors to put national emergency plans into effect, the most important of which is the amendment of the tariff, and the future vision of EDL and its dealings with international donors such as the World Bank.
Then came the word A.
Sami Alawiya, who spoke about the importance of hydropower and its role in reducing emissions as clean energy, and the relationship with EDL.
Fayyad pointed out that the Ministry of Energy and Water is moving towards more clean, sustainable and environmentally friendly energy technologies, and that Lebanon is serious about the transition to sustainable energy that is less expensive than fossil energy and is a partner in the fight against climate change.
He pointed out that the solar energy market has witnessed good growth between 2010 and 2020, especially in the level of water heating on solar energy, where the area of water heating systems on solar energy exceeded 900 thousand square meters on the entire Lebanese territory.
The market of electricity production through solar energy and fans has also witnessed a remarkable growth, especially with the lifting of subsidies on oil derivatives, as the clean energy currently produced in Lebanon is less expensive, where the cost of electricity production in EDL is about 14 US cents per kilowatt hour, while the cost of electricity production from private generators is about 30 US cents per kilowatt hour, the cost of electricity production from clean energy is currently about 6 or 7 cents per kilowatt hour. ”
"The lifting of subsidies on electricity prices has given the clean and renewable energy market a significant boost, making the volume of solar energy projects implemented to exceed the threshold of 1500 MW by June 2024," he said.
He also touched on government plans to implement major projects in the field of electricity production through the sun, especially the construction of 11 solar plants to produce electricity with a capacity of 15 MW per plant, i.e. a total of 165 MW, with the production being linked to EDL and sold to EDL.
It is estimated that the share of clean and renewable energy in electricity production will be about 30 percent of the national consumption by 2030.
The ministry ’ s goal is to install 3,000 megawatts of solar farms by 2030 and about 1,000 megawatts of wind farms, in addition to completing the volume of water heating on solar energy, and increasing hydropower; the ministry will spare no effort to achieve these figures, even surpassing them. ”
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Oman also projects clean energy capacity to reach 2.6 GW by 2025, with plans to build a hydrogen production industry targeting around one million tonnes per annum by 2030, reflecting strategic diversification.

Government Incentives and Policy Frameworks

To foster solar scale-up, Middle Eastern governments have implemented diverse incentives, subsidies, regulatory reforms, and investment frameworks.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 underpins renewable energy expansion with feed-in tariffs (FiTs) and supportive regulations aimed at accelerating solar deployment and green hydrogen development.

While concrete FiTs detail for domestic solar remains evolving, the plan incentivizes large-scale projects and international cooperation to support technology transfer and financing.

The UAE operates a comprehensive Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, pledging multi-billion-dollar investments in renewables and energy storage infrastructure.

The country has initiated tariff reforms that phase out fossil fuel subsidies, empowering solar competitiveness.

Programs such as Shams Dubai encourage rooftop solar adoption, while green mobility and smart grid developments complement renewable integration.

The UAE’s investment in R&D and innovation, including dedicated hydrogen research centers, strengthen technological leadership.

Egypt’s implementation of Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariffs catalyzes solar PV installation, exemplified by the Benban Solar Park’s rapid development.

The government supports an automated platform facilitating grid connections for small solar plants, fostering decentralized power generation.

Industry localization initiatives promote solar silicon production, improving supply chain resilience.

Egypt’s energy policy ambitiously targets 42% renewable electricity by 2030.

Jordan provides financial incentives and subsidies to investors to expand renewable projects.

It also pursues electricity bill reduction initiatives geared toward encouraging renewables uptake and lowering carbon emissions.

While specific FiT programs are less prominent, Jordan’s economic support structures for renewable investments have enabled steady sector growth.

Lebanon’s recent reforms include curtailing subsidized fossil fuel consumption to enhance solar competitiveness.

The government has endorsed construction of 11 solar plants totaling 165 MW and amended electricity tariffs to favor renewable deployment.

These adjustments respond to economic pressures and infrastructure challenges while promoting sustainable energy access.

Economic and Job Impact

Renewable energy deployment in the Middle East generates significant economic diversification and employment benefits.

Large-scale projects such as Egypt’s Benban Solar Park create thousands of direct and indirect jobs spanning construction, operations, and maintenance.

Saudi Arabia’s expanding renewable sector under Vision 2030 stimulates new industries and integrates clean energy within broader economic diversification plans.

In the UAE, Masdar’s projects and green hydrogen initiatives have employed thousands of workers, supporting green technology development and associated sectors.

Regionally, capital investments in renewables are substantial.

The Middle East saw a $3.2 billion increase in renewable energy investments recently, with total regional investments expected to reach approximately $45 billion over the next five years.

Bilateral partnerships, particularly with China, which is actively engaged in technology and clean energy investments extending beyond $10 billion, underpin funding.

Sovereign wealth funds such as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and various UAE investment arms contribute heavily to domestic and foreign clean energy portfolios, signifying institutional commitment to economic transformation.