The UAE has increased its clean energy goal, encompassing nuclear and renewable sources, to 35 percent of its energy mix by 2030-31, according to Energy and Infrastructure Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei.
During Middle East Energy 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre, Al Mazrouei stated that reaching the goal will necessitate new initiatives, increased competition, and expanded prospects for the private sector in electricity generation.
He mentioned that the UAE consistently reviews and adjusts its energy strategy to adapt to falling costs and continuous technological progress.
The UAE's strategy focuses on diversifying energy generation sources over the long term and ensuring adequate surplus capacity to cater to the population's needs in various situations.
In this regard, Al Mazrouei stated that the nation is persistently advancing grids and constructing new power stations to minimize losses, enhance efficiency, and secure optimal electricity selling rates, while also aiming to further reduce them in the future. He observed that the prices of renewable energy keep falling due to the growth of projects and advancements in technology.
Energy storage technologies have progressed remarkably, with batteries now able to hold power for as long as 24 hours at competitive costs, in contrast to the two or three hours they could manage before.
Al Mazrouei stated that this advancement has allowed solar energy to deliver continuous supply, positioning it alongside natural gas, nuclear energy, and other reliable sources while presenting favorable and competitive pricing. He noted that solar energy provides sustainability advantages and generates no carbon dioxide emissions, demonstrating the effectiveness of the UAE's strategy, which will further enhance the nation’s expertise in this area.
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Al Mazrouei mentioned that the UAE's power generation sector has historically welcomed private involvement, pointing out that the choice to privatize the sector many years ago contributed to lowering expenses, enhancing competition, and implementing top governance practices. He stated that this has assisted in placing the UAE among the top nations globally regarding electricity expenses.
Al Mazrouei emphasized that the UAE possesses firms capable of competing on a global scale, achieving competitive pricing and securing international projects, mentioning Masdar, Etihad, and other national companies that operate successfully in multiple nations.
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Regarding the future of the energy sector, he stated it will focus on increasing cleaner energy sources, enhancing electricity connections between nations, greatly boosting the efficiency of transmission networks, and minimizing losses.
Al Mazrouei also emphasized Middle East Energy 2026, noting the event unites 1,500 exhibitors from 70 nations to present cutting-edge technologies aimed at decreasing costs and enhancing efficiency.
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He urged attendees to take advantage of the discussions and share successful experiences, highlighting that the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure is presenting its strategies and regulatory framework at the event, while the participating companies are concentrating on technical and technological solutions.