The world observed the International Day of Clean Energy on January 26, an annual occasion adopted by the United Nations General Assembly to accelerate the global transition to clean and renewable energy. The date coincides with the anniversary of the establishment of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), headquartered in Abu Dhabi, underscoring the UAE’s leading role in advancing global renewable energy initiatives. The UAE co-sponsored the UN resolution to designate the day, alongside the Republic of Panama.
Highlighting the significance of the occasion, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), said the UAE is among the world’s leading nations in the transition to clean and renewable energy, guided by the leadership of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Al Tayer noted that the UAE Consensus, adopted by representatives of 197 countries and the European Union during COP28, hosted by the UAE at Expo City Dubai, marked a turning point in global climate action. The agreement includes firm commitments to accelerate greenhouse gas emission reductions and advance sustainable energy solutions worldwide.
He said the International Day of Clean Energy serves as an opportunity to renew global commitment to clean energy adoption, highlighting Dubai’s experience as a global model for translating strategic visions into large-scale projects that support climate action, energy security, and sustainable development. Al Tayer added that DEWA continues to implement pioneering initiatives aligned with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, with the goal of generating 100% of Dubai’s power from clean energy sources by 2050.
DEWA’s clean energy ecosystem is anchored by several flagship projects. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the world’s largest single-site solar park, currently has a production capacity of 3,860 megawatts (MW) and is expected to exceed 8,000MW by 2030, up from the originally planned 5,000MW. Clean energy currently represents approximately 21.5% of DEWA’s total installed capacity and is projected to surpass 36% by 2030, contributing to a reduction of more than 8.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
The solar park is being developed through the independent power producer (IPP) model in partnership with the private sector. Five phases have been completed, while construction continues on the sixth phase. DEWA has also launched a global tender for the seventh phase, which will add 2,000MW of photovoltaic capacity and include a 1,400MW battery energy storage system with a six-hour storage duration, totaling 8,400 megawatt-hours (MWh), making it one of the world’s largest solar-plus-storage projects.
DEWA has also implemented the Middle East and North Africa region’s first green hydrogen project powered by solar energy. Located at DEWA’s Research and Development Centre within the solar park, the pilot facility produces approximately 400 kilograms of green hydrogen per day, which is used through a combined heat and power unit generating around 300 kilowatts of electricity. The project serves as a testing platform for future hydrogen applications across transport and industrial sectors.
Further strengthening grid resilience, DEWA is developing a 250MW pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Hatta, the first of its kind in the Gulf region. The facility offers a storage capacity of up to 1,500MWh and an operational lifespan of up to 80 years, enabling rapid response to electricity demand and enhancing grid stability.
Community participation in Dubai’s clean energy transition is supported through the Shams Dubai initiative, which allows building owners to generate electricity using rooftop solar photovoltaic systems and connect them to DEWA’s grid under the Distributed Renewable Resources Generation programme. The initiative aligns with Dubai’s ambition to become one of the world’s smartest and most sustainable cities.
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