The UAE is preparing for rising electricity demand across the Gulf and plans to strengthen its clean energy ambitions while reducing losses across the power transmission system, Energy and Infrastructure Minister Sohail Al Mazrouei said.
Speaking at the opening of Middle East Energy on Tuesday, Al Mazrouei said the region would require substantially more electricity in the years ahead, particularly as countries expand the use of renewable sources such as solar power.
He said energy systems would need to become more efficient and resilient as demand increases and geopolitical conditions continue to change.
“The diversification toward cleaner forms of energy will continue, not because we are biased, but because it makes sense,” Al Mazrouei said.
He added that resilience was becoming increasingly important across the entire electricity system, from generation and transmission to distribution.
The minister also announced that the UAE would adjust its clean energy target for 2030 and 2031, with clean sources expected to account for 35% of the country’s total energy mix.
The move reflects the UAE’s wider effort to diversify its energy supply while meeting growing demand from households, businesses and industry.
Al Mazrouei also called for greater attention to losses occurring during energy transmission. He said the methods used to improve efficiency during the previous decade were no longer sufficient to meet the demands of today’s energy system.
The Gulf is well positioned to expand solar generation because of its abundant sunlight and large areas suitable for renewable energy projects. The UAE has already invested heavily in large-scale solar infrastructure as part of its transition towards cleaner energy.
Among its major projects is the Al Dhafra Solar PV plant, described as the world’s largest single-site solar power facility. The project has a generation capacity of 5 gigawatts and is supported by 19.5GW of battery storage.
Al Mazrouei highlighted the plant’s ability to supply solar power around the clock, supported by its large battery storage system.
The minister said the expansion of clean energy was not simply a response to environmental concerns but also a practical step for improving the reliability and resilience of national power systems.
The UAE’s latest target comes as countries across the Gulf face rising electricity consumption and seek to balance economic growth with lower emissions.
Increasing renewable generation, improving transmission networks and expanding energy storage are expected to play a growing role in meeting that demand while reducing pressure on conventional power sources.
